Life Goes On

All around us life goes on. We never stop to think about the circumstances of life! Someone had a baby, someone lost their job, a house burned to the ground along with a family's memories, illness and one that touches us all, death of a loved one and eventually our own death. We see the calamities of floods, oil spills, tornadoes etc., but do we heed these warnings from our Creator? Is 45:7 The one forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these.
God uses many things to get our attention. I heard a story of a man who could not control his temper. He was spending a great day riding bikes with his son, when the boy lost control of his bike and hit his dad and made him wreck. The wife hears the loud talk and cursing and proceeds to tell the man he should not talk
like that to his son. The man notices the wife had left the young daughter alone in the house. He starts to curse the wife telling her to check on the daughter and see what she is doing. Upon entering the house they find the four year old pouring large amounts of salt and pepper in the floor and mixing it with water. This just makes the man cuss all the more. While in his rage, he steps on a barbie doll shoe. He takes the shoe, which is so very tiny and throws it as hard as he can. That little bitty hard plastic barbie shoe was stuck right in the middle of the brand new 52 inch TV screen. Oh well, talk about getting someones attention! All God really wants is a loving and trustful relationship with us. Jer. 29:11 for I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Ps. 103:15-19 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Lord, Your word is true! We should fear You and bow to Your majesty. Help us to think on Your word day and night. Bury it deep in our heart. Amen

Seeking God's Will

Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
As I was reading my bible study, I saw this verse and it must have been written for me! I am looking to the Lord, I am waiting for His return and I know He hears my every prayer. In this day and time, it is easy to attack people from behind a generic name such as you use to sign into web domains such as Facebook, Al.com, Twitter, etc. I was reading an article about my pastor and my church on Al.com. There were people who were attacking my pastor and my church because we are doing some radical things. These radical things are cutting budgets and wasteful things in our lives to provide care for women and children in India and sending people to mission in the inner city where crime is out of control. Far too long have we turned our back on the inner city. We can't build enough jails to hold all of the lost souls who are raising hell as they follow the devil. There have been numerous families who have sold their homes and moved to East Lake and Gate City to show and live out the gospel as a witness to what Christ can do if we will commit to His will. I feel sorry for people who feel they are the judge of God's people. The devil is already defeated but he still has followers who will try to attack our mission. As far as my pastor goes, he is an awesome man of God! He is the most humble man you will ever meet. He preaches God's word and will never make excuses for what it says because he knows it is the truth. If selling your house to move to a smaller one to give more money to help people is a problem to you, then I say too bad. We answer to a holy God and He will judge us, not the lost and misguided. I wondered why God was leading me to these verses in 1Peter because it is not my bible study. He knew my pastor would be attacked and He gave us this encouragement.
1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Father, we do understand the cost of following You. We are weak and need Your strong arm of faith and Your powerful word. We know that it may cost us everything. Help us to follow you. Turn our eyes from worthless things and our heart to You. Amen

Loving the Poor

This is something that comes from the heart. It is in our soul to love the less fortunate. It comes from knowing but for the grace of God we would be in the same circumstance. There is a bible truth that should make us stop and think about how we are stewards of what God has given us. Matt.19:16-30 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said,  "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."  When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said,  "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Then Peter said in reply, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
For there is not one among us who will take anything with us when we die. So be careful what you strive for!
The things we all work so hard for will be left for others. Trust God for He will guide you in all you do.
Lord, I pray for the people who are caught up in the riches of the world. If they were close to You, material things would loose their hold on them. Bless our pastor as he stands on Your word and shows us what loving the poor really means. Help us to love people who are here and far away. Lead us to Your will and give us courage to do it. Amen

For To Us A Child Is Born

During his ministry between 739 B.C.to 680 B.C., Prophet Isaiah tells of the future birth of Christ.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Isaiah prophecies about the birth of Christ are fulfilled in the new testament books of the gospels.
The book of Mic.5:2/Matt.2:6 tells of Christ birth in Bethlehem, Is.7:14/Matt.1:23 his birth of a virgin, Is.7:14/Matt.1:23 his name would be called Immanuel, meaning God with us and Is.9:6-7/Matt.1:1 Christ would rule on David's throne.
In Is.9:6/John1:1, Christ is God in human flesh. Is.9:6/Luke 2:14 Christ would bring peace on earth.
Lord, how awesome are Your words. Your word is true from everlasting to everlasting.You are maker of heaven and earth and you set the stars in the sky.
We can not understand Your ways but so long to please You. Forgive our failures and have mercy on us. Amen

Isaiah's Vision of the Lord

Isaiah 6:1-7  In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."
We are of unclean lips just as Isaiah said he was. We are sinners in need of a guilt offering and His name is Jesus. He is our atonement and because of Him our guilt is taken away. Praise God for we are blessed beyond measure! Lord God, Thank you for Jesus. Amen

Our Arrogance Before The Lord

Isaiah 2:22  Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?
Lest we think more of ourselves than we should. The day of the Lord is coming soon, put your faith in Him not man!
Isaiah 1:18-20 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
We are like Judah and Jerusalem, rebellious and sinful. Let us learn from God's words to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Don't you wonder about all the calamities that are happening? It is our punishment for our disobedience to God. He want us to wake up and see His light, Jesus. He will withdraw all of His blessings from us if we don't fall on our knees and ask or forgiveness and mercy. Do we even know His blessings He gives? Rain, sun, water, health, family, breath, food, shelter, next heart beat and I could go on and on.
Holy Father, we know who is our most treasured blessing, Your son Jesus Christ. He paid our debt and we are left with the knowledge of that debt which we can't reimburse. How could we be counted worthy of Your love? We ask for forgiveness and guidance to bring glory to Your name. Amen

Discipline

Today I spanked my granddaughter Taylor, she is 3 years old. She was being naughty. After we both calmed down, we went to the bed to lay down to rest and talk. I told her how God does not like it when we act bad. She said "MiMi , you spanked me". I said "I know I did and you made God and me sad by being naughty." Taylor said, "MiMi I am sorry, you make me happy". I told her she makes me happy too. Oh how precious are our little ones, even when you discipline them they still love you. This is the way our father God is to us. We do not always obey Him but He still loves us. He will also discipline those He loves!
Heb.12:6-11 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Lord God, how precious is the gift of children! Thank You for this gift. Help us to understand You ways.
We know we are unruly children and we disobey You. Would You have mercy on us when we act like ungrateful children? We are indeed weak but You are strong. We strive to be holy but we fail so terribly. Amen