Is Change Possible?

God loves me just where I am, but He doesn’t want to leave me there. He wants to use all that happens to me and around me for growth and maturity and for His glory. Everything that happens to me is used for what God wants to happen in me and through me. He uses where I have been, where I am, and where I am going. And He loves me every step of the way. May I be as Paul, Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, -Philippians 3:13.

In seeking God and His ways, reaching forward, we begin to change. The more we’re in God’s presence, the more we know Him. That means knowing of His love which takes us through all things. The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing, -Zephaniah 3:17

 

 

Small Words

Our big God lives in small words. We think long words are deep and strong, mean more, tell us more, make us seem wise. But in short words we see that God speaks to us in clear and plain words of “Good News”… to help us know Him and His will. The best short word of all, of course, is love. For God is Love and He sent His Son to save us from our sin. Christ was the Lamb of God slain for us, Who rose from the dead and now lives on the throne. Through His grace we know He will touch and heal our pain and give us strength to meet each day. With the shield of faith and the sword of the Word we will win the fight. Our foe will not beat us when we stand firm and true, and when we do not doubt that God is for us and He works in us.

We can tell the world of Christ in short words, words of faith and love and grace and joy. He will bring peace and bless us when we seek His face. These words we must share with all. He gives us the time and place and the heart to reach out. We are His church, may we be a voice to sing of His truth and praise His Name. May we be His love to the world.

 

Give, Give and Give

Today is the day to make the change. Give your time…give your love…give your forgiveness…give your strength…give your peace…give your encouragement…give your mercy…give your faith…give your comfort…give your compassion…give your prayers…give your hope…give your salvation…give your gifts…give your influence…give to others what Christ has given to you. Give and it will be given to you. -Luke 6:38.

Jesus, You are the King of kings, Lord of lords and I thank You for giving Your life to me. Thank You for loving me and wanting me to be with You forever in eternity. Help me this week to keep You first in my heart. Make Your presence known to everyone that crosses my path. Show me opportunities to give Your light to others. Let my ways be Your ways. I love You. Amen.

 

 

There Is Hope

     Imagine a world living under the curse of sin where giving to one another didn’t exist. The homeless would have no hope and more hungry children would die. Callous hearts controlling the future would replace the ministries, hospitals, and professionals who cared for people. Education, foundations and scholarships would be meaningless.

But because of Christ, we have hope. His whole existence is the core of giving. Without Him dying on the cross for our sins, we would cease to exist in the true meaning of life. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.- I John 3:2-3.

 

 

 

Hope is not seen,

Hope is not heard,

Hope is in Christ,

Who changes everything.

 

I Am Home!

There’s truth in the saying, “Home is where your heart is.” What is it about home? When we’re gone for any length of time, we long for the comfort, warmth and security it provides us. Keep in mind, our home on earth is temporary, a place in time to do God’s work. And if our hearts truly belong to Christ, then yes, home is where our hearts are. Perhaps, that’s why we long to be with Jesus someday in eternity. …I am going there to prepare a place for you. – John 14:2.

 

Lord,

     There are times in my life that seem impossible to understand. Please help Your children as they mourn the loss of a loved one who has gone home to be with You. I know they are truly home and waiting for our arrival. Thank You for giving me eternal life and the hope that it brings. I love You and wait patiently for the time I will see You face to face. Amen.

 

 

I Am Where You Are!

Pray continuously. Is it possible? Prayer, my friend, isn’t all about requests, petitions, contrition or thanksgivings. Although these are important parts, prayer is a continual pathway to God, our direct line of communication to Him. From the time we rise in the morning until we lay our heads down at night, we must learn to keep that pathway open. Jesus desires to be One with us. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am. -John 17:24. Keep Jesus in front of you at every moment and every decision of the day. Thank Him for the little blessings that usually go unnoticed. Don’t wait to ask forgiveness at the end of the day. Ask for it at the time of need. Share your joy and tears with Him. Pray continuously. Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

 

     My soul finds rest in You Jesus. I will trust You and praise You for the rest of my days. Thank You for hearing my prayers and being with me every moment of my life. Keep me blameless in Your eyes and give me the opportunity to proclaim Your wonderful deeds to others. And when I fail, pick me up with Your loving arms. I love you, Lord. Amen.

 

Pease on Earth

Caught your attention! What I meant to say - Jesus is our peace. He told us, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid, John 14:27. Every day we face conditions that would steal our peace. Natural disasters, storms, floods, tornadoes, economic turns, stock market declines, unemployment, violent crimes, child abuse, drug abuse, sexual abuse – we are bombarded by the things of this world. We would live in constant fear if we thought of all that could happen to us.

Legislation, law treaties, reforms, social actions, cease fires … these can’t give us peace. They may promise a temporary rest from troubles, but only God can give a supernatural assurance that calms our fears for living in the present and our hopes for tomorrow. In Him we don’t have to be afraid. His peace is directly from the Father, and he freely gives it to us.

 

     We pray for Peace on Earth. We ask, Oh Lord, that Your Spirit shine through us, as we reach out, as we care for each other and for those who do not know. Help us to share Your peace and bring good to the lives of others. Let us speak “peace be still” to their troubled hearts, to their stormy lives. Bless us with inner peace as we commit our anxieties to You. Bless us, Lord, and let us also be blessings to others. Amen.

 

ONE

Unity. We live in a world that is falling apart at the seams…torn apart because of sin. How long will it take before we bind as one and make an alteration in the tear? Will it take more violence in our schools, more broken marriages, or more immoral lies on television? What are we going to do today that is going to make a difference? Will it take more love for others, more touching the needs of the poor, or more truth about Jesus? And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  -Colossians 3:14.

Our faith in Jesus binds us in strength to do the impossible. But it is our choice to do it. We can make a difference in this fallen world if we stand as one in Christ. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Romans 15:5.

 

Lord,

     I know I am only one person and without You I can not do anything. Without You, Jesus, I wouldn’t want to do anything. But You are with me and call me Your precious child. With that promise, give me the wisdom to unite my community and unbelievers as one in knowing Your forgiving grace. Give me the words, Your words, that will make a difference in this world and that I may be able to help the poor, feed the hungry, and care for the sick. Let my hands be Your hands. I love You. Amen.

 

 

Wasting Time

So much time is wasted away by searching for what will never make us happy or fulfilled. We look toward others to fill hollow spaces of loneliness and fill our lives with worthless materialism. And as the worldly search continues with new friends, new toys and adventures, our lives are still empty.

The time will come when you make the decision to set your eyes upon Jesus and seek His ways. Be assured. He will be waiting for you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be open. -Matthew 7: 7-8.

Knowing Jesus is the only One who can fulfill the needs in your life will bring great joy and peace. Once you accept His love, your worldly possessions will become meaningless. Your family, friends, opportunities, and toys will have a different light. They will become blessings instead of a temporary fix that fills an empty void.

 

 

 

Doing Something When You’re Doing Nothing

What is the price you pay for doing absolutely nothing? Some may say nothing, while others may say everything. Have you ever wanted to take a break and do absolutely nothing? Impossible. Even when you are doing nothing, you are doing something. But there is one nothing you have nothing to do about. That nothing is assurance. …by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…-2 Timothy 1:8-9. Isn’t it great to have the assurance in doing absolutely nothing!

 

My Dear Jesus,

     Thank You for everything You have done for me and what You are going to do for my life. Thank You for loving us unconditionally and giving up Your life that we may live.  Help me to put You first in my life so I might be Your example when I give to others of my time, love and compassion. Open my eyes to the needs of my family, friends and others who may not know You and put them first before my own needs and wants. Use me to touch others this week unselfishly. Help me, Jesus, to be more like You in every breath that I take.  Amen.