Psalm 9:1

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

Thoughts on This Verse....

The words of Jessie Brown Pound's old hymn say it best: "If the light of his presence has brightened your way, O will you not tell it today?" Prayerfully select someone who needs to know of the goodness and graciousness of God and share Jesus with that person. A heart filled with praise to God will not only praise him, but will lead others to do so as well!

Give the following gifts

"To your enemy -- forgiveness,

To your opponent -- tolerance.

To a friend -- your heart.

To a customer -- service.

To all men -- charity.

To every child -- a good example

To yourself -- respect" - Unknown

Thoughts 

.. True prayer is measured by weight, not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length. - Charles Spurgeon

.. In all the old castles of England, there was a place called the keep.  It was always the strongest and best protected place in the castle, and in it were hidden, all who were weak and helpless and unable to defend themselves in times of danger. 

Shall we be afraid to hide ourselves in the keeping power of our Divine Keeper, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, and who has promised to preserve our going out and our coming in, from this time forth and even forever more? - Hannah Whitall Smith

Affliction    

The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction - Charles Spurgeon   

Jesus Christ    

The mind never has any satiety, but Christ's Excellency is always fresh and new, and tends as much to delight, after it has been seen a thousand or ten thousand years, as when it was seen the first moment. -Jonathan Edwards   

Lessons to learn from the Book of Job – Part 5

41. Satan is sometimes given permission by God to cause storms:

Job 1:6-22

42. Do not give your own theories when trying to help others, give what the Bible says and seek to be led of the Holy Spirit in such cases:

Job 42:7-9
2 Timothy 3:15-17
2 Timothy 4:15

43. Instead of nagging at them continually, as Job’s friends did, let God deal with people who sin:

Job 42:7-9
Galatians 6:7-8

44. Seek God when in trouble, and do not blame or criticize Him as the source of the trouble:

Job 3:15
James 5:10-11

45. God’s grace sustains us in the greatest of calamities:

Job 19:25-26
Job 42:1-17
2 Corinthians 1:1-12
Hebrews 11
James 5:10-11

46. Counselors are not always right:

Job 42:1-9

47. All the suffering that can be heaped upon a man is not enough to satisfy self-righteous hypocrites or make them sympathetic with him:
Job 42:7-9
Acts 7:54-60

48. God takes account of all criticism against His people:

Job 42:7-9
Matthew 12:37

49. Troubles are no proof of a man’s wickedness:

Job 1:1-22
Job 2:1-12
Job 42:1-6

50. God is very compassionate and of tender mercy toward those who are in need:

Psalm 103:1-9
Romans 8:32
James 5:10-11

Hosea 8:14

Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces; Judah has fortified many towns. But I will send fire upon their cities that will consume their fortresses.

Thoughts on This Verse....

In prosperity, God's people left the LORD and followed their own gods and practiced their own morality.  Except neither was "their own." The northern tribes of Israel simply became like the pagan people around them — practicing the same detestable immoral lifestyles, forgetting the poor and the alien, cheating the widows and the powerless. God wanted them to know that he knew what they were doing.

The Almighty wanted them to realize that he would act and bring justice. The Sovereign LORD wanted the northern tribes of Israel to realize that they have sown their own destruction, and even though they cannot even fathom its possibility, God made sure it was coming because of their hardness of heart and their refusal to live with character.

Their destruction is a great reminder to us that our name of Christian, our claim to be God's chosen people and his holy priesthood (1 Peter 2),! Doesn’t matter unless our lives portray his character, our heart displays his compassion, and hands do his will.

Thoughts 

.. True prayer is measured by weight, not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length. - Charles Spurgeon

.. In all the old castles of England, there was a place called the keep.  It was always the strongest and best protected place in the castle, and in it were hidden, all who were weak and helpless and unable to defend themselves in times of danger. 

Shall we be afraid to hide ourselves in the keeping power of our Divine Keeper, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, and who has promised to preserve our going out and our coming in, from this time forth and even forever more? - Hannah Whitall Smith

Luke 9:20

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

A lot of people have their opinions about Jesus' identity. The real issue, however, is what you believe about Jesus. What you decide about God's Son means everything for you and for those you influence.
So listen to Jesus' question to his disciples as if he is asking it of you: "Who do you say I am?" I pray that your answer is the same as Peter's: “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Chili Peppers

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. —James 1:27

Sometimes the best witness is kindness.

Great Literature


How sweet are your words . . . , sweeter than honey to my mouth! —Psalm 119:103

The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change the people of God.

The Bread That Satisfies

Give us each day our daily bread. —Luke 11:3

“I am the bread of life.” Jesus

Lessons to learn from the Books of Job - 5

7. Satan has many helpers in disguise:

2 Corinthians 11:13-14

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Revelation 12:7-12

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

  Therefore rejoice you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

Lay -7

Lay to the charge of another

Romans 8:33

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

Lay by in store

1 Corinthians 16:2

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

Lay hold of eternal life

1 Timothy 6:12-19

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Lay held on hope
Hebrews 6:18
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged

Lay aside every weight

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Lay apart all filthiness

James 1:21

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Sickness is a different kind - 3

Issue of blood:

Matthew 9:20

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.

Itch:

Deuteronomy 28:27

The Lord will afflict you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, festering sores and the itch, from which you cannot be cured.

Sun stroke;

2 Kings 4:18

The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers.

Isaiah 49:10

They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or   beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

Ulcers:

Isaiah 1:6

From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil.

Luke 16:20

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores

1 Corinthians 8:8-9

But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

Thoughts on This  Verse....

We have incredible freedom under grace. However, our freedom never gives us the license to destroy a weak brother or sister's walk with the Lord. Let's use our freedom considerately, especially toward our new brothers and sisters in Christ. These new Christians need our encouragement; they already have enough stumbling blocks!

Lessons to learn from the Book of Job - 4

6. Satan has access to God’s throne:


Job 1:6-12

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

  Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
   Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

   “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

   The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

  Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord:

Job 2:1-8

On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

  Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

   Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

   “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”

   So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

Revelation 12:10

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

   “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Restoration is on the Way

The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.” Joel 2:25

The Lord is in the process of building you right now. Although it seems as if you have been stripped on every side, keep your head up. Restoration is on the way.

He is positioning you for what He has prepared for you. Even as Joseph had to be positioned in the land of Egypt through a series of hardships, He is placing you in the place of your birthing. What He has placed on the inside of you will live and not die.

God will perform that which He has promised you. His plans for you cannot be frustrated by the hands of man. Man can only help facilitate God’s plan for you. Do not be afraid my brother, my sister. The vision will speak soon. Be of good courage, restoration belongs to you.

Thoughts

. I could go through this day oblivious to the miracles all around me or I could tune in and “enjoy.” - Gloria Gaither

. In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still.  Wait upon God, and feel his good presence; this will carry you evenly through your day’s business. - William Penn

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Thoughts on This Verse....

We are to be a people who do good deeds. That's a very significant part of who we are as Jesus' followers. So let's look for the many opportunities that God places in our paths to bless others. Let's use all of these blessings to bring God glory!

Who Will Tell Them?

Our Savior . . . has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. —2 Timothy 1:10

Will you tell someone the good news today?

No Fear

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.” —Luke 2:10

God incarnate is the end of fear.

Relief from the Scorching Sun

The Lord is your shade at your right hand. —Psalm 121:5
We find refuge in the Lord.

A Legacy Life

A good name is more desirable than great riches. —Proverbs 22:1

Live to leave a legacy for God’s glory.

Your Father Knows

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. —Matthew 6:8

Your loving heavenly Father never takes His eyes off you.

When We Don’t Understand

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. —Isaiah 55:8

God would not be worthy of our worship if He could be understood by our wisdom.

Thoughts 

"Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance." - C. S. Lewis

"The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people." — G. K. Chesterton

"To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own." — Abraham Lincoln

Ephesians 6:24

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Thoughts on This Verse....

Ephesians makes some of the greatest declarations in the entire Bible about the grace of God. This one, however, may be the very richest. Grace is offered to us whether we accept it or not.
But, grace is with us in rich abundance and blessing as we love Jesus and hang on to his love with a grip of faith that is unwavering.

Pride 

For every look at self-take ten looks at Christ.

Obedience 

We must do what we can do for God, before He will give us the power to do what we can't do.

The Believer’s Hope. – Romans 15:13

1. The hope of “the resurrection of the dead” – Acts 23:6

2. The hope of promise – Acts 26:6-7

3. The hope of Israel – Acts 28:20

4. The hope that is the object of faith – Rom. 4:18; Acts 26:6-7

5. The hope of the glory of God – Rom. 5:2; Col. 1:27; Tit. 2:13

6. The hope that saves us – Rom. 8:24

7. The hope that causes believers to endure afflictions – Rom. 8:25; 1 Th. 1:3

8. The hope of believers that comes through the Scripture – Rom. 15:4

9. The hope which is gift of the Holy Spirit – Rom. 15:13

10. The hope that is one of three essential traits of the believer – 1 Cor. 13:13

11. The hope in Christ – 1 Cor. 15:10; 1 Tim 1:1

12. The hope of righteousness – Gal. 5:5

13. The hope of God’s calling – Eph. 1:18; 4:4

14. The hope which the lost do not have – Eph. 2:12

15. The hope of the gospel – Col. 1:23

16. The hope of the Salvation – 1 Th. 5:8

17. The “good hope” which God gives – 2 Th. 2:16

18. The hope of eternal life. – Tit. 1:2; 3:7; Acts 2:26

19. The “Blessings of hope” the Lord’s return – Tit. 2:13

20. The hope that stirs diligence and gives full assurance – Heb. 6:11

21. The hope set before believers – Heb. 6:18

22. The hope which anchors the believer’s soul – Heb. 6:19

23. The hope that stirs belief – Heb. 11:1

24. The “living hope” of the believer – 1 Pet. 1:3

25. The hope that stirs believers to purify themselves – 1 John. 3:3

What shall I read when….?

I have a Burden of sin –
Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 11:28

I need a Clean Heart –
Psalms 51 & 1 John 1:9

I Thirst for Living Water –
Isaiah 55 & John 4:1-34

I want to be saved -
John 3:1-7, & Acts 16:30-31

I want my life to be fulfill –
John 15

I want the secret of Happiness –
Philippians 1:21, Colossians 3:1-17

I am tempted to do wrong –
Psalms 139, 1 Corinthians 10:13

I am discouraged –
Psalm 23, Deuteronomy 31:6

I am disappointed –
Romans 8:31-39

I am bored –
Psalm 103, Hebrews 11

I am lonely and fearful –
Psalms 27, Proverbs 18:24

I want inward peace –
John 14, Philippians 4

I seek wisdom –
Proverbs 1:1-7, 2:1-5, James 1:5

Lessons to learn from the Books of Job - 3

5. God does permit Satan to test His own people:

Luke 22:31-34

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

Job 2:1-8

On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
  Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
   Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

   The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
   So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Corinthians 9:15

[In talking about others having the right to be supported in their ministry, the apostle Paul says,] But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Paul was careful not to take support from the Corinthians even though it was his right as a minister of the Gospel. Instead, he knew their problems with generosity and showed them a great example in living for Jesus without obvious and instant reward.

Oftentimes we must show our values before others will share them. Paul was a master at reading the needs around him and living in a way that was an example. Let's make a commitment to do the same!

Lessons to learn from the Books of Job - 2

4. He is permitted to go only so far in testing God’s people:

Job 1:12

The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

  Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Job 2:6

The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

5. God does permit Satan to test His own people:

Job 1:6-12

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

  Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
   Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

   “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

   The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

  Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

God’s Protecting Presence

Psalm 91 Begins with: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. …

Psalm 91 pictures Biblical confidence and poise. The heart of it is the protected place of abiding safely in God, as we run to our covenant position of settling down under His defense.  After establishing who God is, the psalmist describes the work of the enemy. Spiritual warfare is, first of all, about experiencing all the majesty and supremacy of God, who assures us that He is committed to defending us. His commitment is based on his deep covenant love relationship between Him and His people, which the psalm affirms and celebrates in the closing verses.

We can confidently claim His rest, refuge, protection, safety, covering, and faithfulness, freedom from fear, angelic watchers, deliverance, and salvation.

Ezekiel 7:8

"I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you; I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices."

Thoughts on This Verse....

Because God's people had repeatedly rebelled and chosen to turn an unhearing ear toward his will, God is about to let them face the consequences of their own sinfulness. He is ready to judge them using the harshest of standards because of their entrenched rebellion.

We must remember that he wants us to be a holy people just as much as he did his Old Testament people. Let's be faithful to him, no matter the values of our culture.

Thoughts

. Who brought me into this world?  According to whose command do I find myself at this exact place, during this particular time?  Life is the remembrance of a very short day we spent visiting this world. - Blaise Pascal

. Two works of mercy set a man free: forgive and you will be forgiven, and give and you will receive.
- Augustine of Hippo

. Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer can move God. - E. M. Bounds

Thankfulness

"It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart." - Unknown

Laughter

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."

Lessons to learn from the Book of Job - 1

1. Satan is the author of sickness and disease:

Job 2:7

So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

2. He causes calamitie3s to come upon man:

Revelation 12:9

The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Read - Job 1:6-22

3. Satan is the accuser of the righteous:

Job 1:6-12

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
  Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
   Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
   “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
   The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
  Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Job 2:1-8

On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
  Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
   Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
   “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
   The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

Revelation 12:10

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Great Sins of Job

1
. He contended with the Almighty to instruct Him.
. Reproved God.

Job 40:2
 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”

2

. Disannulled God’s judgement.
. Condemned God to make himself appear righteous.

Job 40:8

“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?

3

. Hid counsel without knowledge.
. Uttered what he did not understand.

Job 42:3

You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.

Luke 5:27

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

After capturing the hearts of the crowd, Jesus now calls another disciple, Levi (Matthew). Two things are significant about this calling.

 First, Jesus called someone no other religious leader would have chosen, a tax collector and Roman sympathizer — to any Jew of Jesus' era, Matthew would have seemed very much like a traitor to his heritage and to his faith.

Second, the tax collector followed, leaving behind his livelihood and his fortune.

This is a powerful reminder that there is no one we should write off as unreachable with the Gospel and as unusable by our Lord.

Praying the Promises of God

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah  40:8

When hardships arise, we need a solid foundation on which to stand. Otherwise, our emotions could easily lead us astray through faulty thinking. God is faithful and unchanging, so we can trust in His promises, which enable us to rest confidently and act boldly.

Thoughts

. I could go through this day oblivious to the miracles all around me or I could tune in and “enjoy.” - Gloria Gaither

. In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still.  Wait upon God, and feel his good presence; this will carry you evenly through your day’s business. - William Penn

Psalm 10:2

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

Thoughts on This Verse....

God absolutely hates violence, intimidation, or any means used for the powerful to control, manipulate, or hound those who are weaker. He loathes wickedness that is based upon the strong and the mighty preying on the weak and powerless. We should, by our actions and resources, demonstrate both to the weak and the powerless that there is a God of love.

Quote about Christianity

..  “Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection.

When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, "Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody." ... [My dark side says,] I am no good... I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned.

Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the "Beloved." Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” ― Henri J.M. Nouwen

Do not be anxious

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. (Phil 4:6)

 “In everything,” that is not merely when the house is on fire, not merely when the beloved wife and children are on the brink of the grave, but in the smallest matters of life, bring everything before God, the little things, the very little things, what the world calls trifling things—everything—living in holy communion with our Heavenly Father, arid with our precious Lord Jesus all day long.

And when we awake at night, by a kind of spiritual instinct again turning to Him, and speaking to Him, bringing our various little matters before Him in the sleepless night, the difficulties in connection with the family, our trade, our profession. Whatever tries us in any way, speak to the Lord about it.
“By prayer and supplication,” taking the place of beggars, with earnestness, with perseverance, going on and waiting, waiting, waiting on God.

Thoughts

. If we will be still and let God address our hunger within, he will graciously show us that he never meant for us to find the fulfillment of our worth apart from him. - Arthur Halliday

. The best mirror is an old friend. - Unknown

. Prayer and temptation, the Bible and meditation make a true minister of the gospel. - Martin Luther

Exodus 9:29

Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.

Thoughts on This Verse....

When Moses confronted Pharaoh and was met only by the hardness of Pharaoh's heart, God sent the plagues. Why? Because God wanted Pharaoh to know that Israel's God wasn't just another god, but that the LORD was the Only True and Living God. The nations, the seasons, and the earth are his. All people must come to revere his name and receive his grace.

Sex Laws

Do not marry a mother and daughter. Penalty for such sin:  all 3 to die:

Leviticus 20:14

And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

If a woman sins with a beast, both she and the beast to die:

Leviticus 20:16

And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Innocent wife protected:

Deuteronomy 22:13-19 

If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,   And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:   Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:   And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;   And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.   And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;   And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days

The High Standard for Leadership

Leaders are judged with a higher standard than those who follow. 1 Tim. 3 and 1 give great  attention to detail, but  here James reminds that hose in leadership will be held accountable for exemplifying Jesus Christ in their spirit and behavior, as  well as in their words and duties.

Government, military, and business leaders are seldom judged on their personal lives. Leaders in the kingdom, however, are judged not so much by what accomplish as by the character they reveal – who they are before what they do.

This high standard applied not so much to the leader’s achievements as to the condition of his or her heart and spirit.

It is possible to have grand accomplishments and even orthodox behavior but still manifest a loveless, ungodly spirit. But if first the leader’s heart is right, godly behavior will always follow and good leadership will be manifested.

Thoughts 

.. It is now possible to live a "Christian life" without doing the things that Jesus commanded us to do.
"We have hired people to go into all the world, to visit those in prison, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to care for widows and orphans. The average Christian doesn't have to do it.--Cal Thomas

.. No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once. -- Oswald J. Smith

--Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily. -- Sally Koch

--As a large fire begins with kindling of small twigs and branches, even so a large revival is preceded by the prayers of a few hidden seemingly insignificant souls. --Gary Amirault

Psalm 9:1

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

Thoughts on This Verse....

The words of Jessie Brown Pound's old hymn say it best: "If the light of his presence has brightened your way, O will you not tell it today?" Prayerfully select someone who needs to know of the goodness and graciousness of God and share Jesus with that person. A heart filled with praise to God will not only praise him, but will lead others to do so as well!

The Wise Foolishness of Faith

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1

Faith would be foolish if what we hope for does not have basis in reality, but God offers us all the reality we need, all the truth necessary to make an intelligent decision to follow Him. The very character of God cries out for such trust and, in addition, He sent His Son Jesus to display that character in the flesh and to provide the way to God.

Millions of people through the ages have risked all to believe that God is love and can be trusted. The Bible says, “This is what the ancients were commended for.” It does take faith to believe God and His Word, but we have the promise of Jesus, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

Kindness is Contagious

“Be kind and compassionate to one another . . .” Ephesians 4:32

“Be Kind and compassionate one to another”, the Bible tells us. Why not today?  It doesn’t have to be a meal—it could be a smile, opening the door for someone, or offering to baby sit, weed someone’s garden—the Lord will open your eyes to where you can pass on an act of kindness.  Someone will see it and in turn be kind to someone else.

Words Count

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

Maybe these verses underscore the obvious, but so often we treat words like computer bytes — weightless and dimensionless, and therefore harmless. Perhaps we have accepted the lie that sticks and stones break bones, but words cannot hurt us.

God, You brought this world together by speaking it into existence, and like You I may create universes of care, love, and encouragement in people around me. Help me choose nourishing, soul-growing things to say to people around me.

Keys to wise living:

1 Timothy 1:3-7

Teach -

Teach only sound, thoroughly biblical doctrine. Do not attempt to teach what you not fully understand.
Operate from a motive of love, faith, and good conscience in all you do.

Where are We Going?

Colossians 3:23-24

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

These days we are told to prioritize, but do we place more priority on our daily work rather than seek God’s guidance and place God as our priority before we attempt anything else?  Whatever we are doing we need to place God first and that means whether we are in paid work, tending to our families, volunteering, in fact, anything that fills the hours in our day.  Let it all be for God’s glory so that the light of Christ can shine through this world.

Loving and Compassionate Christ, help us to seek your direction in all that we do.  Enable us to embrace every moment of each day so that we can see the everyday miracles and share your unconditional love with all we meet. Amen.

Be an Encourager

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25

Encouraging others is a way to stir them up to love and perform good works. That’s pretty powerful stuff especially in a world that seems geared toward tearing us down. Encouraging Someone is easy, but powerful. It just doesn’t take much to encourage others.

How much effort is it really? Drop a note, send an email, publicly praise someone. None of these take much time, money or effort. Yet they can stir us up to love and good works.

Encourage someone today and be prepared to receive back even more. In addition to making others day, it will make you feel so good when you are in a mood of encouragement.

Thoughts 

.  “Those who unlock your compassion are those to whom you've been assigned.”

.  “Attack is the proof that your enemy anticipates your success.”

.  “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.”

. “You will never become rich, until you hate poverty”

Kindness is Contagious

“Be kind and compassionate to one another . . .” Ephesians 4:32

“Be Kind and compassionate one to another”, the Bible tells us. Why not today?  It doesn’t have to be a meal—it could be a smile, opening the door for someone, or offering to baby sit, weed someone’s garden—the Lord will open your eyes to where you can pass on an act of kindness.  Someone will see it and in turn be kind to someone else.

Words Count

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

Maybe these verses underscore the obvious, but so often we treat words like computer bytes — weightless and dimensionless, and therefore harmless. Perhaps we have accepted the lie that sticks and stones break bones, but words cannot hurt us.

God, You brought this world together by speaking it into existence, and like You I may create universes of care, love, and encouragement in people around me. Help me choose nourishing, soul-growing things to say to people around me.

Keys to wise living

1 Timothy 1:3-7

Teach -

Teach only sound, thoroughly biblical doctrine. Do not attempt to teach what you not fully understand.
Operate from a motive of love, faith, and good conscience in all you do.

The High Standard for Leadership

Leaders are judged with a higher standard than those who follow. 1 Tim. 3 and 1 give great  attention to detail, but  here James reminds that hose in leadership will be held accountable for exemplifying Jesus Christ in their spirit and behavior, as  well as in their words and duties.

Government, military, and business leaders are seldom judged on their personal lives. Leaders in the kingdom, however, are judged not so much by what accomplish as by the character they reveal – who they are before what they do.

This high standard applied not so much to the leader’s achievements as to the condition of his or her heart and spirit.

It is possible to have grand accomplishments and even orthodox behavior but still manifest a loveless, ungodly spirit. But if first the leader’s heart is right, godly behavior will always follow and good leadership will be manifested.

Luke 9:20

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

Thoughts on This Verse....

A lot of people have their opinions about Jesus' identity. The real issue, however, is what you believe about Jesus. What you decide about God's Son means everything for you and for those you influence. So listen to Jesus' question to his disciples as if he is asking it of you: "Who do you say I am?" I pray that your answer is the same as Peter's: “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

God the Son 

Captain of salvation

Hebrews 2:10

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

The Apostle and High Priest of our profession

Hebrews 3:1

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

Forerunner

Hebrews 6:20

Where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Thoughts 

Missionary zeal does not grow out of intellectual beliefs, nor out of theological arguments, but out of love -- Roland Allen

Use your ministry to build people, not people to build your ministry. --Jacquelyn K. Heasley

If you are walking with Jesus, in the Spirit, you need not fear going too far. No believer has gone as far as God wants him to go.--A. A. Allen

Changing Hearts

Anger almost always vanishes in the face of grace

Daily Wisdom

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. - James 1:27

Verse for the Day

But the Israelites said to the LORD, "We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now." - Judges 10:15

Spirit Fire

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who are victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
--Revelation 2:7

Quote

"Revenge never healed a wound." - Guarini

Passion for Praise - Glorious

The mountains take one look at GOD And melt, melt like wax before earth's Lord. The heavens announce that he'll set everything right, And everyone will see it happen — glorious! - Psalm 97:5-6

Ephesians 6:24

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Thoughts on This Verse....

Ephesians makes some of the greatest declarations in the entire Bible about the grace of God. This one, however, may be the very richest. Grace is offered to us whether we accept it or not. But, grace is with us in rich abundance and blessing as we love Jesus and hang on to his love with a grip of faith that is unwavering.

Doctrine 

You can have all of your doctrines right yet still not have the presence of God.

Spiritual Thoughts

Jesus laid down His life to show His love for us.

We need to be ready for Christ to come again.

Jesus is the Son of God, the Man beyond time, who gives us eternal life.

Grace and mercy are unearned blessings.

Bless the Children

What are you passing down to the next generation? It’s not enough to think it; you must vocalize it. A blessing is not a blessing until it is spoken. Your children need to hear you say words such as, “I love you. I believe in you. I think you’re great. There’s nobody else like you. You are one of a kind.”
They need your blessing. Start speaking those blessings over your family members today.

The Value of Blessing 

We need to speak loving words of approval and acceptance, words that encourage, inspire, and motivate our family members to reach for new heights. When we do that, we are speaking blessings into their lives, and they will indeed be blessed.

Quotes about Christianity

 “A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

..  “In truth, there was only one Christian and he died on the cross.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

..  “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now...Come further up, come further in!” - C.S. Lewis

2 Chronicles 7:14

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Thoughts on This Verse....

While this is a passage often emphasized when talking about the problems with nations and governments, let's remember that the truest application of this must find its home in us and in our churches. We can begin revival in our land if we will commit to daily prayer, weekly fasting, and hearts yearning for God to enter our world and transform it.

Death 

It's better to die for God than live for nothing.

Selfishness 

The more spiritually you grow, the more you realize just how much your thoughts are actually focused on yourself. Even the thoughts that formerly seemed good and acceptable all of the sudden look selfish. Only then do the words "look to Jesus" finally take on real meaning.

Old Age, Attainment Of

Deuteronomy 34:7

Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.

Joshua 14:10-11

“Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.

Job 5:26

For hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground.

Psalms 92:14

They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green,

Genesis 21:7

” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

2 Kings 4:16-17

“About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

Thoughts 

.. It is now possible to live a "Christian life" without doing the things that Jesus commanded us to do. "We have hired people to go into all the world, to visit those in prison, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to care for widows and orphans. The average Christian doesn't have to do it.--Cal Thomas

.. No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once. - Oswald J. Smith

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

We are to be a people who do good deeds. That's a very significant part of who we are as Jesus' followers. So let's look for the many opportunities that God places in our paths to bless others. Let's use all of these blessings to bring God glory!

Do you want to be well?

Joel Osteen says, when my mother was growing up, she developed the dreaded disease of polio. She had to wear a heavy brace on her leg for many years, and even today, one leg remains shorter than the other. Mother could have easily said, “God, this isn’t fair. Why did this happen to me?”

But Mother didn’t do that. She refused to see herself as the victim. She saw herself as the victor. And God brought her out of that difficulty. Your difficulties can make you bitter, or they can make you better. They can drag you down and make you a sour person, or they can inspire you to reach for new heights.
You can sit back and make excuses to stay in mediocrity. That’s easy. You can make excuses; have bad attitudes, or a poor self-image. Anyone can do that. But if you want to live your best life now, you must reach out to God, shake off self-pity, get up, and move on with your life.

Bless the Children

What are you passing down to the next generation? It’s not enough to think it; you must vocalize it. A blessing is not a blessing until it is spoken. Your children need to hear you say words such as, “I love you. I believe in you. I think you’re great. There’s nobody else like you. You are one of a kind.”
They need your blessing. Start speaking those blessings over your family members today.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we, who with unveiled faces all [contemplate and] reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Thoughts on This Verse

"Transformed ... with ever-increasing glory." In other words, it's an ongoing process, but with the continual help of the Spirit, we're going to arrive at our goal — to be like Jesus! The point is not to give up on our journey. Let's keep looking to Jesus and keep trusting that the Holy Spirit is doing God's work in us, making us more and more like Jesus each day.

The Gift of Dreams

"Faith is all that dreamers need to see into the future." - Jim Stovall

Mercy

"I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice." - Abraham Lincoln

Luke 5:27

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

After capturing the hearts of the crowd, Jesus now calls another disciple, Levi (Matthew). Two things are significant about this calling.

 First, Jesus called someone no other religious leader would have chosen, a tax collector and Roman sympathizer — to any Jew of Jesus' era, Matthew would have seemed very much like a traitor to his heritage and to his faith.

Second, the tax collector followed, leaving behind his livelihood and his fortune.
This is a powerful reminder that there is no one we should write off as unreachable with the Gospel and as unusable by our Lord.

Always begin with Prayer

Energy movement of God begins with prayer. Through prayer our hearts begin to beat with His heart.
His passion becomes our passion.

And we become effective instruments to speak and do His will in this world.

From the desk of Billy Graham

How do we await Christ’s final return? The answer is, we practice Heaven now! Jesus declared, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.

My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23). Think of it—the Father and Son staying with you by the Spirit’s power, in your very home!

Hold On

In our journey of faith, how can we finish the race well and “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus”? (Phil. 3:14). Like the cable car, we keep a strong grip on Christ, which is what Paul meant when he said “stand firm in the Lord” (4:1). We have no resources of our own. We depend fully on Christ to keep us moving forward. He will take us through the greatest challenges and lead us safely home.

Toward the end of his earthly life, the apostle Paul declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). You can too. Simply keep a strong grip on Christ.
We’re grateful, Lord, that while we aim to keep a strong grip on You, You always keep a strong grip on us! You are working in us and giving us what we need to continue trusting You on our faith journey.

Keeping the faith means trusting God to faithfully keep you.

Conviction.

At the end of his life, Paul was as confident as ever that God was real, in charge, and worthy of all honor, glory, and praise (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

Do you see these attitudes in yourself? If not, borrow a page from the apostle Paul’s “playbook.” Praise the Lord for all that He has done for you, and then get busy working—in His strength—for His kingdom. Do not allow His grace to be poured out on your life in vain (1 Cor. 15:10).

1 Corinthians 15:9-11

The apostle Paul had a certain mindset that Christians are wise to emulate (1 Cor. 11:1). In him, we recognize an attitude of:

Humility. 

Pride cannot hide in the heart of a believer who understands divine mercy. Paul spread the gospel because he believed the grace that was sufficient to save a sinner like him was adequate for anyone.

Indebtedness. 

The apostle never lost sight of how far the Father’s grace had brought him. Paul frequently reminded followers of his role in persecuting the church (1 Tim. 1:13), and his gratitude for salvation from that former life never waned. The book of Acts records the almost constant turmoil and heartache of his travels, and yet he continued to praise the Lord for the privilege of serving.

Dependence. 

To describe the source of his strength, Paul used these words: “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10). He knew what it was like to depend upon one’s own goodness and work to be religious—and he wanted no part of it. Paul desired more of Jesus Christ and none of himself (Phil. 3:8).

Quotes

The Church of Jesus Christ is an organization that hasn’t changed its leadership for 2000 years!

God didn’t promise days without pain, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day and light for the way.

Praying that the Lord Holds you in His Love And blesses you with His grace on this Holy Day.
If you’re on the ‘Road to Hell’, when you come to ‘Jesus Way’ be sure to make the right turn!