Monday, October 26, 2009

Oct. 14

Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, there was no hail.
Exodus 9:26


Even then God had His hand on a place when there was destruction all around. He does the same every day, and people seem to miss that there is a "God" story there. We have seen pictures of devastation all around and then still in the midst of it, there can be a miracle. What gets me the most is that people never refer to God in the miracle, they seem to want to blame Him for the destruction. Sad isn't it? So often the true story of why something is allowed to happen doesn't even get shared. I think so often that it's in the middle of the destruction is when God can be found the most.

So next time that you hear of something bad, look for God, He will be right in the midst of it, and He will shine, but it won't be the world to let you know that He is there.

Oct. 13

"Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."
Acts 10:43


Have there been times in your life when you met someone and your just felt very comfortable, that there was no threatening environment? Well this is your spirit bearing witness with another. I have also been in a situation when I felt every hair stand up on the back of my neck, I knew that his spirit did not bear witness with mine. It's not a good feeling. This is just scripture coming to life, giving us reassurance that God is just Who He says He is! It's awesome as His child to know that God gives us red flags to know how we should proceed in certain situations. So next time you meet someone and you know that there is something very weird about them, think back to this scripture. It could be God telling you just what is different about them. And also remember that this is your opportunity to share Jesus with them.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Oct. 12

On the other hand I am filled with power - With the Spirit of the LORD - And with justice and courage To make known to Jacob his rebellious act, Even to Israel his sin.
Micah 3:8


This is one of the encouragement verses for me. We should remember that we are filled with Power, and we should be bold and call out those who are doing wrong. I am not saying stand on the corner and shout out the wrong doings of everything that we see. But when we see a brother or sister that is going against God's Word, we need to be loving and kind to them and also help guide them back to the truth. Sometimes somebody may lose sight of the truth and may be walking in the darkness, and may not even realize that they are walking there, but we can be that light of Jesus to show them the way back home. Ask God to help you, to give you the works to say and know that He will fill you with Himself and help you all the way!

Oct. 11

On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
Proverbs 10:13


I think about how it is very smart of us to think before we react to anything. When we step back in a situation and look at it and line it up with the word of God, then we are being the wise ones. When we just jump into a situation and don't think about what we are doing, then we do open ourselves up to ramifications. Thinking of that "rod" and "the back of him" takes me back to being a parent. Our children may get that spanking for making that judgement call that is wrong to what they have been taught, and the same thing goes for us as children of God. He will chastise us for our lack of understanding when we "eat a bowl of stupid" as Chris says. But why shouldn't he? We also need to be disciplined. We need to be better at stepping back and assessing the situation before we jump into anything. Be wise!

Oct. 10

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man's counsel is sweet to his friend.
Proverbs 27:9


Well just think about it. There are smells that put a smile on our face and so it is the same when we spend time with a friend. There is nothing better than to spend time with a friend, to get caught up and sometimes just to come to that friend and ask advice. But there is always one thing to remember, sometimes friends can let us down. They may not mean to but it can be done, and the same can be said of us too. My thoughts turn to Jesus, He will always be the one who will never let us down. So in those times when you need counsel the most, turn to Him, seek His Word, spend time with Him in searching out your answers for the things that trouble you most. He will give you an answer! He will never let you down and He will always be here for you.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Oct. 9

O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me.
Psalm 5:8


Now to look at it from the dictionary side:
O God; Jehovah go before or with to show me the state of being morally right or justifiable because of my enemy; Make your way honest, honorable, or upright, before me.

We know that there is always soembody out there that doesn't like us, or even so we just may not like them in the way they treat us. We must remember that God has a plan for us in how we are to deal with them. Our human nature wants us to be mean or unkind, but it is God who is calling us to do the right thing and love them and show them mercy. Is it easy? No, but when we let God lead us, then we will do the right thing. When we take matters into our own hands we act as man does, we can be cruel and unkind. We must remember that these are not characteristics of God and when we reflect anything that us ungodly, then people are not going to see God in us.
Strive to be an example, and when we walk with God, we will be a godly example. Remember that when you kick a bucket something will come out. What is going to come out of you when you are kicked? Will it be the dirty "water" that is stored up in you or will it be clean "water" that will be a refelction of Christ?

Oct. 8

Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food ; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 1:9


The first opal in the Bible. How fitting is it to say that God grew every tree that is pleasing to the sight. It is this time of the year that we get to enjoy the sights of the trees. Just to take a look around and see the brilliant colors should remind of us just how great God is. We just came through the season of peaches and now it is the apples. When we take a bite or just see those colors do we take that time to thank Him for what He gave to us? We should. Remember in the next few weeks as you see even more incredible colors to thank Him for showing off just for you. I love it when He gets out the paintbrush and creates something special for me. You should too!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Oct. 7

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
Romans 11:33


I can't help but think about how deep the ocean is, a place that we will never reach. It's the same with God's riches and knowledge, we can keep searching but we will never reach them, but we must keep trying. There are times when you read scripure that it may be revealed to you in a way that you have never read before. I think that God's Word is a treasure box, there are so many jewels just waiting to be discovered and just when you think you have found them all, there is something new that you overlooked! It's time to look at His Word in a new light, be ready to find something new and take on the adventure of finding Him in each verse. He has great things to share with you, He is waiting for you to seek Him and find the jewels.

Oct. 6

"On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit and become a stately cedar. And birds of every kind will nest under it; they will nest in the shade of its branches."
Ezekiel 17:23


There are times in our lives when we just need to stop, to take a rest under this tree that God has planted for us. We are so busy and we get caught up in so many things, that we don't take time to enjoy what God has created for us. It's time to sit down, pick up God's word, and enjoy that shade that He has created for us. Know that the sun is still shining, sometimes making it hot around us, but there is peace in the shade of the tree of God. He does have great fruit that we can take in and enjoy, find those verses that tell us how sweet His words are. Enjoy every one, be nourished by the Word of God. When you come out from under His shade you will know that you have rested and been refreshed by God.

Oct. 5

O LORD, how my adversaries have increased ! Many are rising up against me.
Psalm 3:1


How often do we feel this way, like the whole world is against us? When we do we must also remember the words that are in Psalm 3:3 - But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.. How comforting to know that as His child, He is protecting us, He is the one that is with us when we feel that our world is tumbling down. Draw strength from the one Who loves you more than anyting else. Know that He is with you, protecting your from this storm! This too shall pass and unfortunately we will go through many more, but always remember that God is with you, He is not leaving you alone when it seems like everybody else has. Maybe it's time to learn how to dance in the rain and feel what it is like to be soaked by God's love!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Oct. 4

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.
Acts 20:7


Now these men were not baptist, because they would have put a halt to this message at 12:00 PM and not let it be carried out till 12:00 AM. Sorry, had to make that comment. But really, think about it. We read and see how they never complained about how long somebody shared with them, but what do we do? We have the tendancy to look at our watches and wonder when the preacher is going to quit, we think ahead of what we have to do after the message is over. Our thoughts also take us away from what the message is truly about. It is sad to say but there are people here that are going to be very uncomfortable in heaven. Heaven is going to be about praise and worship 24 hours a day! Seriously, church is getting us ready for heaven and how do we treat that? This is just food for thought. So next time the preacher is running over, we need to realize that this message was sent by God to be used by the preacher to share with us just what God wants us to hear. Be in tune, listen to the words and learn to forget about the time. Everything else can wait. It's time to spend time with God!

Oct. 3

"On the twenty-first of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet saying,"
Haggai 2:1



Now this may not mean very much to you, but think about the first part of the verse; it gives the date. To me, I can't help but think about journaling. That not only was it written that the word of the Lord came but when the word came. We should be challenged to make notes ourselves. When we do read the Bible, and we read something that really touches our hearts, we should journal it and make note of that date. I have had several journals over the years, I always date the pages. It has been neat to go back and read what I put and not only read it, but to compare how I thought back then to now. It's great also to see what God has done in my life. So for me, this verse is a challenge to us. Write down the things that God shows you and date them, if not only for you but for your children, friends or family to see just what God shared with you while you were here. He speaks to us all, if we will listen!

Oct. 2

"O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me;"
John 17:25


This verse takes me to a statement that I tell the youth all the time; You may be the only Jesus that this world ever sees. Even though God is all around us, this world does not see what is truly going on. They are living in the darkness, because their god is darkness. When we give our lives to Christ, we see the Light. And once we have seen the Light, we can't help but shine that Light all around us. It is our calling to share Christ with all those who are around us. Just think of how many verses we ready about us telling others about Christ. This is our great commission: To know Christ and make Him known. So if you haven't shared about Christ today, then you (and I) better get busy.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Oct. 1

"O Satisfy us in the morning with Your loveingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days"
Psalm 90:14


This should be a reminder to us that God is here with us when we get up, He actually gives us that breath to get us out of bed. Take that time to recognize Him, then when you jump in the car crank up the radio (tuned to the Christian radio station or CD) and sing to Him. I guarantee that when you have that song in your head that you are not going to have that bad day. My day has started off behind and even dragging, not to mention that the computer and printer dont' want to work together, but I am going to pop up my favorite songlist (actually what you hear on this website) and worship in song today. Satan is not going to get me down. My joy comes from the Lord and satan cannot steal it today, so don't let him try to steal yours either! May your day be joyful!
I did even stop on the bridge and take pictures of the fog coming off the lake - it was awesome again today. I think I will replace yesterday's picture with Lake Blalock fog! Find God in the little things today - soak in His presence!