HOW TO
BECOME RICH

Luke 12:13-21
----
Take heed
and beware of
covetousness.
---Luke 12:15 --

I FIND it interesting that Jesus taught more about money than anything else. And He wasn't trying to ratchet up the treasury. As far as we know, He never even asked for an offering. The reason He taught extensively on the subject is that nothing clogs our spiritual arteries more quickly than money--either working to have a lot of it or wishing that we had.

Think of the man who brazenly asked Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me" (Luke 12:13). Amazing! He had an opportunity to "go deep' with Jesus, but instead he wanted deep pockets.

Jesus responded with a stunning statement: "Beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (v.15). He then went on to tell the parable of a rich man who was successful from a worldly standpoint--having so many crops that he had to keep building bigger barns-- but who, in God's eyes, was actually a "fool." Not because he was rich, but because he was not rich toward God.

You'll hear a lot of advice about how to become rich. But only Jesus tells it to us straight. It's not about the money. It's about the richness of our relationship with Him and the joy of turning our greed into generosity.--

The riches of this world are vain,
They vanish in a day;
But sweet the treasures of God's love--
They never pass away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LEARNING HOW TO BE RICH TOWARD GOD
YIELDS ETERNAL DIVIDENDS. --

Our Daily Bread
JESUS IS LORD!
Blessings, Abishag

GREAT REWARD --

"Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." (Luke 6:23)

~~~SOMETIMES great rewards are promised to those who help locate dangerous criminals, or to those who win a lottery, but such pecuniary rewards are trivial compared to those awaiting all the faithful servants of Christ. The "great reward" promised by Christ in our text is specifically for those believers who willingly have endured hatred and ostracism, reproach, and slander "for the Son of man's sake" (v.22).

Such rewards are distinct from salvation, of course, for 'that' reward is given only "to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly" (Romans 4:5). "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:5-6).

That is, salvation is a free gift, received only through personal faith in Christ and His sacrificial death for our sins. Rewards, on the other hand, are earned by faithful witness and work for Christ. In that day when "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10), many will learn to their dismay that, although they have indeed received everlasting life, they will have very little reward. For "the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1 Corinthians 3:13)--not the quantity, but its quality and fidelity to God's Word. Then, "if any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved" (v.15).

We need to remember that one of the last and thus most significant promises of Christ was: "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12). ---

~~~~~~~~~~~
ICR/Days of Praise/HMM ---
Blessings, Abishag

REAL REWARDS

Matthew 5:3-12
----
Blessed are the poor
in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of
heaven.
---Matthew 5:3

I ONCE viewed the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 as a kind of sop Jesus threw to the unfortunates: "Well, since you aren't rich, and your health is bad, I'll toss out a few nice phrases to make you feel better."

Unlike medieval kings who threw coins to the masses, Jesus had the advantagae of dangling real rewards before His audience. He who came down from heaven knew well that the glories of the kingdom of heaven would easily counterbalance whatever misery we might encounter here on earth.

Among many Christians, an emphasis on future rewards has gone out of fashion. My former pastor Bill Leslie used to observe, "As churches grow wealthier and more successful, they're less likely to sing 'This world is not my home. I'm just passin' through' and more likely to intone 'This is my Father's world.' "

We dare not discount the value of hope in future rewards. One need only listen to the songs composed by American slaves to realize this consolation of belief. "Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home." -- "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows but Jesus."

Over time I have learned to respect, and even long for, the future rewards Jesus has promised.--

Let me go for earth's fond pleasures
Soon will vanish and decay;
But the soul has richer treasures
Shining bright as cloudless day.
------------------------------------
DARK TRIALS WILL BE REWARDED BY BRIGHT CROWNS.

Our Daily Bread/PY
Blessings, Abishag/ JESUS IS COMING SOON!

--OUR FUTURE
IS SECURE

"When he brings out
his own sheep, he
goes before them;
and the sheep follow
him. --John 10:4 ----


--LAST fall my wife, Carolyn, and I were driving up a winding mountain road near our home in Idaho when we came across a large flock of sheep moving down the road toward us. A lone shepherd with his dogs was in the vanguard, leading his flock out of summer pasture into the lowlands and winter quarters.

We pulled to the side of the road and waited while the flock swirled around us. We watched them until they were out of sight, then I wondered: 'Do sheep fear change, movement, new places?'

Like most older folks, I like the "fold"--the old, familiar places. But all is shifting and changing these days; I'm being led out, away from familiar surroundings and into a vast unknown. What new limits will overtake me in the coming days? What nameless fears will awaken? Jesus' words from John 10 come to mind: "When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them" (v.4)

We may well be dismayed at what life has for us this year and next, but our Shepherd knows the way we're taking. And He goes before. He will not lead us down paths too dangerous or too arduous where He cannot help us. He knows our limits. He knows the way to green pasture and good water; all we have to do is follow Him.
--------------------
OUR UNKNOWN FUTURE IS SECURE
IN THE HANDS OF OUR ALL-KNOWING GOD.

Our Daily Bread/DR
Blessings, Abishag / JESUS IS LORD! Tell somebody today!

~~God Is on Our Team

"When I was helpless, he saved me." PSALM 116:6

~~As youngsters, we neighborhood kids would play street football. The minute we got home from school we'd drop the books and hit the pavement. The kid across the street had a dad with a great arm and a strong addiction to football. As soon as he'd pull in the driveway from work we'd start yelling for him to come and play ball. He couldn't resist. Out of fairness he'd always ask, "Which team is losing?" Then he would join that team, which often seemed to be mine.

His appearance in the huddle changed the whole ball game. He was confident, strong, and most of all, he had a plan. We'd circle around him, and he'd look at us and say, "OK boys, here is what we are going to do." The other side was groaning before we left the huddle. You see, we not only had a new plan, we had a new leader.

He brought new life to our team. God does precisely the same. We didn't need a new play; we needed a new plan. We didn't need to trade positions; we needed a new player. That player is Jesus Christ, God's firstborn Son.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Max Lucado
In the Grip of Grace

GOD IS ABLE --

Ephesians 3:14-21

"[God] is able to
do exceedingly
abundantly above all
that we ask or think,
according to the
power that works in
us." --Ephesians 3:20

NO one would disagree that followers of Christ should think and live in a positive way. But do you ever find yourself depending too much on your own abilities rather than on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit?

In John 15, Jesus explained our need for complete dependence on Him: "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (v.5). Paul reminded us that we "can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us]" (Phil. 4:13), that "the excellence of the power [is] of God and not of us" (2 Cor. 4:7), and that we are "strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph. 3:16).

Because of God's power, we can do whatever he asks of us--through Him. We can base our confidence not in our own abilities, but in God's absolute promises.

So, today, we can say, "I know I can. I know I can--because of Jesus, who lives inside of me."

God gives to His servants this promise:
You'll not have to face life alone;
And when you grow weak in your struggle,
His strength will prevail --not your own. <><
______________________________________

GOD'S REQUIREMENTS ARE MET BY GOD'S ENABLING.

Our Daily Bread +
JESUS IS LORD! Go, tell somebody today!

PRISONERS
OF SIN ---

Galatians 3:19-29
-----------------
The Scripture has
confined all under
sin, that the promise
by faith in Jesus
Christ might be given
to those who believe.
---Galatians 3:22 ---
~~~~~~
A 2008 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said, "At any given time there are more than 10 million people imprisoned worldwide." Since some prisoners are being released while new ones are being sentenced every day, there are more than 30 million total prisoners worldwide each year. Statistics like these have caused many people to work for prison reform and a reexamination of sentencing laws.

From a spiritual perspective, the Bible offers an even more staggering statistic: "The Scripture declares that the 'whole world' is a prisoner of sin" (Gal. 3:22 NIV). Paul says that although the Old Testament law could not impart life (v.21), it was an effective teacher in showing us that we need a Savior who can give life (v.24). The bad news is that "the Scripture has confined all under sin," and the good news is "that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe" (v.22).

When we give our lives to Christ, who has fulfilled the requirements of the law, we are no longer imprisoned by sin. Instead, we enter a fellowship of people from every nationality and social status.

In Christ, we are free indeed!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DELIVERANCE FROM SIN IS THE GREATEST OF ALL FREEDOMS!

Our Daily Bread --
"If the Son therefore shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36 <><

--The Bridge of Confession --

"I acknowledged my sin to You,
and my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD";
and You forgave the guilt of my sin." Selah ~Psalm 32:5

~~~~Once there were a couple of farmers who couldn't get along with each other. A wide ravine separated their two farms, but as a sign of their mutual distaste for each other, each constructed a fence on his side of the chasm to keep the other out.

In time, however, the daughter of one met the son of the other, and the couple fell in love. Determined not to be kept apart by the folly of their fathers, they tore down the fence and used the wood to build a bridge across the ravine.

Confession does that. Confessed sin becomes the bridge over which we can walk back into the presence of God. ~
______________________________

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us." 1 John 1:10

In the Grip of Grace
Max Lucado ~
Blessings, JESUS IS LORD! Abishag

---LOVED WELL

Ephesians 3:14-21
--------
That you....may be
able to comprehend
...what is the width
and length and depth
and height--to know
the love of Christ.
--Ephesians 3:17-19 -

THE apostle Paul wanted the believers in the church at Ephesus to understand how well God loved them, and that was his prayer: "That [they would] be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ" (Eph. 3:17-19). He prayed that they would be rooted and grounded in that love.

To ground ourselves in God's love, it would be helpful to review these verses frequently or even memorize them. We can also take a few minutes each day to thank the Lord for the specific ways He shows His love to us. This will help us to grow in our belief and be thankful that Jesus loves us "so much".

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure--
The saints' and angels' song.
~~~~~~~
TO RENEW YOUR LOVE FOR CHRIST,
REVIEW CHRIST'S LOVE FOR YOU. --

Our Daily Bread/AC

--PRESENTS OR
PRESENCE? ~

1 John 2:24-29
~~~~~~
In Your presence
is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand
are pleasures
forevermore.
---Psalm 16:11 ~
---
OSWALD Chambers once wrote: "It is not God's promises we need, it is [God] Himself."

At Christmastime we often say, "God's presence is more important than presents." But the amount of time and effort we spend on shopping for gifts may indicate otherwise.

In certain parts of the world, people give gifts on December 6.
By doing so, they have the rest of the month to focus on Jesus and the wonder of His birth, God's perfect gift to us.

When we say we want God's presence more than presents from others, perhaps we're being truthful. But how many of us can honestly say that we want God's presence more than His presents?

Often we want gifts from God more than we want God Himself. We want health, wealth, a better job, a better place to live. God may indeed want to give us these things, but we can't have them apart from Him. As David said, "In Your presence is fullness of joy" (Ps. 16:11). Presents may make us happy for a time; earthly gifts from God may make us happy temporarily, but fullness of joy comes only when we remain in a right relationship with God.

So, what would Christmas be like if we truly celebrated God's presence?

Lord, we want to remember You and Your coming in
special ways this Christmas. Give us creativity and
thoughtfulness in our planning. Help us to focus on Your
presence and not on what we hope to give or receive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GOD'S PRESENCE WITH US IS ONE OF HIS GREATEST PRESENTS TO US.

Our Daily Bread/jal
Blessings for a joyful Christmas, Abishag

Living Sacrifice ~

Luke 19:12-26
-------
Present your bodies
a living sacrifice,
...which is your
reasonable service.
----Romans 12:1 ~~

THE nobleman in Jesus' parable in Luke 19 wanted the best from 10 servants to whom he gave money, saying, "Do business till I come" (v.13). When he returned and asked for an account, he gave the same commendation "Well done!" to all those who had done what they could with the money entrusted to them. But he called "wicked" (v.22) the one who did nothing with his money.

The primary meaning of this story is stewardship of what we've been given. To be faithful with what God has given to us is to give Him our best in return. As the master gave money to the servants in the parable, so God has given us gifts to serve Him. It is we who will lose out if we fail to give Him our best.

Give of your best to the Master,
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service,
Consecrate every part.
---------
WE ARE AT OUR BEST WHEN WE SERVE GOD
BY SERVING OTHERS. <><

Our Daily Bread/cph
Blessings, Abishag/ JESUS IS LORD!

--GOD ALONE

1 Corinthians 3:1-9
~~~~~~~~~
We are God's fellow
workers.
--1 Corinthians 3:9
-----
ON May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay, became the first people to reach the peak of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Since Tenzing did not know how to use the camera, Edmund took a photo of Tenzing as evidence that they did reach the top.

Later, journalists repeatedly asked who had reached the summit first. The expedition leader, John Hunt, replied, "They reached it together, as a team." They were united by a common goal, and neither was concerned who should get the greater credit.

It is counterproductive to try to determine who deserves the most credit when something is done well. The church at Corinth was split into two factions--those who followed Paul, and those who followed Apollos. The apostle Paul told them, "I planted, Apollos watered...Neither he who plants is anything, nor he wor waters" (1 Cor. 3:7). He reminded them that they were "God's fellow workers" (v.9),and it is God who gives the increase in ministry (v.7).

Our concern about who deserves the credit serves only to take away the honor and glory that belong to the Lord Jesus alone.

Let others have the honors,
The glory, and the fame:
I seek to follow Jesus
And glory in His name.
------
JESUS MUST INCREASE; I MUST DECREASE.

Blessings to everyone, in our Lord Jesus!
Abishag/ JESUS IS LORD!

Our Daily Bread/cph

THE HOPE
THAT BANISHES
HOPELESSNESS ~~

Philippians 2:5-11
_________
God forbid that I
should boast except
in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
---Galatians 6:14 --
~~~~
WHEN atheistic communism was a world-menacing power, it proclaimed that there is no God and that faith in any future life is a deceptive illusion. Leonid Brezhnev had been the Soviet dictator, the embodiment of Marxist unbelief. But something happened at his funeral that contradicted atheism. George H. W. Bush, then vice president of the US, was the country's official representative at the solemn, formal ceremony.

He reported that while the casket was still open, Brezhnev's widow stared motionless at her husband's body. And just before the soldiers were about to close the lid, she reached inside and made the sign of the cross over his chest. What a desperate and significant gesture! That widow evidently hoped that what her husband had vehemently denied might somehow be true.

Thankfully, we can have hope beyond this earthly life! All we need to do is embrace by faith the saving message of the cross: Jesus died for our sins and rose again so that we might live eternally with Him. Do you believe? Then join with the apostle Paul in affirming that "we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe" (1 Tim. 4:10).

The cross is my hope for eternity--
No merit have I of my own;
The shed blood of Christ my only plea---
My trust is in Jesus alone. <><
~~~~~
CALVARY'S CROSS IS THE ONLY BRIDGE TO ETERNAL LIFE.

Blessings to all for a healty, prosperous, peaceful New Year 2010! JESUS IS LORD! Tell somebody today!
In Christ alone, Abishag <>< +

--GIVING UP?

1 Kings 19:11-18

------
I alone am left; and
they seek to take my
life.--1 Kings 19:10 -
~~~~

HAVE you ever felt like giving up? Elijah did. The LORD had just used him to show the nation of Israel that the Lord is God (1 Kings 18). Yet, the threats of Queen Jezebel so alarmed him that he ran to Beersheba, 100 miles south (19:3). Then he walked another 150 miles south to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Twice God asked Elijah what he was doing there (vv.9,13). Both times he answered with identical words--"I alone am left; and they seek to take my life" (vv.10,14). He had become so preoccupied with his own fears that he had forgotten what God had done through him at Mount Carmel. Despite his great victory, Elijah plunged into the depths of discouragement. How easy it is for us to do the same.

God did not accept Elijah's notice that he was quitting. Instead, He commissioned his tired servant to handle three major tasks (vv.15-17). And by the way, Elijah was wrong when he said he was the the only faithful one left. God had 7,000 others who had not bowed to Baal (v.18).

Perhaps, like Elijah, you are despairing at the circumstances in your life. Let God speak to you (v.12). Instead of allowing you to quit, He will show you what you can do through His strength. ~

Our strength and hope is in the Lord--
We rest secure in His sure Word;
And though we're tempted to despair,
We know we're kept within His care. ~~
----------------------
WHEN YOU'RE WORKING FOR JESUS,
IT'S ALWAYS TOO SOON TO QUIT. --

Our Daily Bread/CPH
Blessings, Abishag <><

RUNNING IN
THE RIGHT
DIRECTION ~~

John 6:53-69
~~~~
Simon Peter answered
Him, "Lord, to whom
shall we go? You have
the words of eternal
life." --John 6:68 --
--------
ONE of the most difficult experiences in my years as a pastor was telling a member of our church that her husband, her son, and her father-in-law had all drowned in a boating accident. I knew the news would shatter her life.

In the days following their tragic loss, I was amazed as she and her family responded with unusual faith, haunting doubt, and confusion. But when nothing else made sense, they still had Jesus. Rather than deserting Him in the midst of their desperately difficult days, they ran to Him as the only source of hope and confidence.

This reminds me of the reaction of the disciples to Jesus. After some of them "went back and walked with Him no more" because He was hard to understand (John 6:66), Jesus turned to His inner circle, and asked, "Do you also want to go away?" (v.67). Peter got it right when he responded, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (v.68).

Whatever you face today, be encouraged by the words of Peter and by the example of a family who went through the fire with their faith intact. As long as you're running in the right direction--TO JESUS--you'll find the grace and strength you will need.

~~~~~~~
Jesus is the One to run to
When our lives bring grief and pain;
He provides His strength and guidance
With a peace we can't explain.
-------
WHEN ALL IS LOST, REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVEN'T LOST
JESUS. RUN TO HIM.

Our Daily Bread/JS
Blessings!

RESCUED !

Ephesians 2:1-10
----
God, who is rich in
mercy,...made us
alive together with
Christ.
--Ephesians 2:4-5 -
~~~~
LAUREN nervously yet excitedly hopped into a one-person kayak for a white-water rafting experience. After strapping herself in, she headed down the river with a group of kayakers and guides.

Lauren became even more nervous when she laid eyes on the falls ahead. Suddenly, as the kayak tossed and turned in the white water, it flipped over. She had been instructed on how to get out quickly if this were to happen. But she became disoriented as she hung upside-down in the water and couldn't find the release bar to get out. She knew she couldn't hold her breath much longer and thought she would soon be in the Lord's presence. Then help came just in time and she was saved. Lauren was very grateful for her rescue from physical death.

An even greater rescue has been provided for us--rescue from spiritual death has come in the Person of Jesus Christ. While we were drowning in sin, God sent His Son Jesus to bring life through His own death and resurrection (Rom. 5:8; Eph. 2:5). He did so because He is "rich in mercy" and because of "His great love" (Eph. 2:4).

Out of gratefulness, we can help others by telling them of 'The Rescuer' [Jesus], they so desperately need. ~

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save. ~
---
Those who've been rescued should be ready
and willing to help in the rescue of others.
---
ODB/AC
Tell somebody today of Christ's love for them. He's coming soon. JESUS IS LORD! Our Lord gave us the commission to, "Go, and tell others what He has done for them!"

In Christ: OUR REFUGE!

(Isaiah 54:9-10)

"To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth." (Isa 54:9)---

The Old Testament is filled with types of Christ. The story of Noah contains one of those. The people had become exceedingly wicked and did evil continually. God became grieved and decided to remove mankind from the face of the earth. However, in the midst of this wickedness, there was a righteous man named Noah.

God instructed Noah to build a big boat and bring into the boat his family and two of every kind of creature on the earth. When this was accomplished, God sent a flood that covered the earth and took the lives of all who were not inside.

After several months, Noah found that the land had dried again, and his family came out of the boat to what was essentially a new earth. They began to multiply and again fill the earth.

That boat is a picture of Christ. We who have been called in Christ are preserved when the judgment comes and will, like Noah and his family, come out on the other side into a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Our refuge is in Christ Jesus. --
--
Are you in the boat? Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Haven Ministries ~

Not by Your Works--Only by Grace!
Devotional thought from the messages of Adrian Rogers

BIBLE MEDITATION:

1 Peter 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are some people who think you can lose your salvation once you have it. I have one truth that will dispel that idea. Whether or not you can lose your salvation depends upon how you got it.

If you were saved by your good works, then you can lose your salvation by your bad works. But God's Word is very clear on this point. Titus 3:5 says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

How is someone saved? By grace. And if it is by grace, then you're kept by grace. Salvation is not rooted in the merit of man, but in the mercy of God.
--
ACTION POINT:
Rest secure today in the knowledge that the Potter has you safe in His hands. He's not about to drop you.

-TRUE WEALTH

1 Timothy 6:6-19
-----
Command those
who are rich in this
present age not to be
haughty, nor to trust
in uncertain riches
but in the living God.
--1 Timthy 6:17 -
---
Money is a powerful force. We work for it, save it, spend it, use it to satisfy our earthside longings, and then wish we had more. Aware of its distracting danger, Jesus taught more about money than any other topic. And as far as we know, He never took an offering for Himself. Clearly, He didn't teach about giving to fill His own pockets. Instead, Jesus warned us that trusting in wealth and using it to gain power clogs our spiritual arteries more readily than most other impediments to spiritual devolopment. In telling the story of the "rich fool," He shamed His listeners for not being rich toward God (Luke 12:13-21), indicating that God has a far different difinition of wealth than most of us.

So, what does it mean to be rich toward God? Paul tells us that those who are rich should not be conceited about their wealth, "nor to trust in uncertain riches" (1 Tim. 6:17). Rather, we are to "be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" (v.18).

Interesting! God measures wealth by the quality of our lives and our generous use of wealth bo bless others. Not exactly Wall Street insider talk, but great advice for those of us who think that our security and reputation are tied up in the size of our bank account.
------
Riches are a blessing only to those
who make them a blessing to others.

ODB/JS

Today’s big question: what does it mean to trust in God?

In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:7–8)-

We’re no strangers to the phrase, “In God we trust.” As the official U.S. motto, we find it on bumper stickers and t-shirts, in songs and poems, and even on our currency. It’s not without controversy either. Debates continually rage over whether such a motto is even constitutional, with Christians usually at the forefront of those seeking to preserve it. But in the midst of all this noise, have we forgotten what it really means?

First and foremost, trusting God means placing our faith in Jesus alone for salvation. Nothing we do can earn our salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

But is salvation our only reason for trusting God? Certainly not! Scripture tells us, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act” (Psalm 37:5, ESV). The words used literally mean, “Hand over your course of life.” We’re further instructed, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3, ESV). In other words, everything we do—our whole lives and our day-to-day work—must be entrusted to Yahweh.

Furthermore, we must place our confidence in nothing besides God. It’s foolish to trust money, strength, or influence, since these all come from God anyway (1 Chronicles 29:12).

Jesus instructed his disciples to pray, “Give us day by day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3). He does not want us to take assurance in what we have stored up for ourselves, as did the rich man in Luke 12:16–21. Rather, we trust God day after day for our provisions. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t work and properly steward what we are given (2 Thessalonians 3:10), but we must always keep the perspective that everything we have is from God.

This also means we don’t have to worry about anything. In fact, we’re commanded, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. . . . Your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Luke 12:22–23, 30–31)
Today’s big idea: we must trust in God for everything.

What to pray: ask God to help you rely on Him alone. -
--AiG (Answers in Genesis)

-Like His Own

He will take these dying bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own.” Philippians 3:21, TLB

Does this body seem closer to death than ever before? It should. It is. And unless Christ comes first, your body will be buried. Like a seed is placed in the ground, so your body will be placed in a tomb. And for a season, your soul will be in heaven while your body is in the grave. But the seed buried in the earth will blossom in heaven. Your soul and body will reunite, and you will be like Jesus.
--
--Max Lucado

-Making Pain Your Servant, Not Your Master

BIBLE MEDITATION:
"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 -

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are three possible ways to pray when you are hurting. First, you can pray that God will give you an escape from the pain. That's normal--in fact, that's how drug stores stay in business! Second, you can pray that God will
give you the strength to endure the pain. And that, too, is a natural response. If we can't escape the pain, we can pray to endure the pain. The third way we can pray is to ask God to enlist the pain in our lives for our good and His glory.

ACTION POINT:
If we pray to escape our pain, then we see pain as our enemy. If we pray to endure our pain, then pain is seen as a master. But if we pray to enlist our pain, we see it as our servant. We are able to find God's grace to glory in our infirmities, that the power of God may be manifest in our lives.

--Adrian Rogers

-THE PLEASURE
IS MINE ~~

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
----
I did not withhold
my heart from any
pleasure...All
was vanity and
grasping for the wind.
--Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
--
I always look forward to summer. The warm sunshine, baseball, beaches, and barbecues are pleasures that bring joy after a long, cold winter. But pleasure-seeking isn't just seasonal. Don't we all enjoy good food, engaging conversation, and a crackling fire?

The desire for pleasure isn't wrong. God has built us for it. Paul reminds us that God "gives us richly all things to enjoy" (1 Tim. 6:17). Other passasges welcome us to the healthy pleasure of food, friends, and intimacy of a marriage relationship. But thinking that we can find lasting pleasure in people and things is ultimately an empty pursuit.

Ultimate pleasure is not found in the short-lived thrills our world offers, but rather in the long-term joy from a deepening intimacy with our Lord. King Solomon learned this the hard way, "I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure," he admitted (Eccl. 2:10). But after his pleasure-seeking spree, he concluded: "All was vanity and grasping for the wind" (v.11). It's no wonder he warned, "He who loves pleasure will be a poor man" (Prov. 21:17).

What we are really looking for is satisfied only in a fulfilling and growing relationship with Jesus. Pursue Him and taste His delights!
---
Are we living for our own pleasure,
or living to please our heavenly Father?

ODB/JS

-THE GOODNESS
OF WORK ~~

Genesis 1:26-31
--
God said, "Let us
make man in Our
image, according to
Our likeness."
--Genesis 1:26
--
Some Christians grow up believing work is bad--that it's a curse brought about by sin. Left uncorrected, this mistaken belief can cause people to feel that what they do in their jobs every day isn't important to God--or isn't as important as the work of missionaries and pastors. This is not true, as Genesis 1:26-31 teaches us.

Here we see that God Himself works, as evidenced by the labor involved in creation and by the fact that He rested on the seventh day. And we were made in His image (v.26) and were granted dominion over creation. This implies that we are to work to tend creation. Clearly, the tending of God's creation is work--noble work, for God looked upon His labors and declared them "very good" (v.31).

It mustn't escape our notice either that work was declared good before sin entered the picture. In other words, work didn't result from the fall and therefore is not a curse. We see this idea again in Genesis 2, when God "took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it" (v.15).

Let's approach each day's labor--whether at a job or an activity to help our family--with an awareness of the dignity and nobility God granted it in creation.
---
God, give me work till my life shall end--
and life till my work is done. ~~

ODB/RK
<http://youtu.be/c9zvmSFcvmI>

What Can I Bring to You?
....simply a song of love, and boundless gratitude,
my whole life for You.

-CONQUERORS
'Bring Me to Life'

Romans 8:25-38
---
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
--(Romans 8:37)

ONE of my most pleasant assignments as a reserve police officer was working security at high school football games. For the most part, everyone enjoyed being there. At the start of the evening, both teams presumed they'd end up the conquerors and champions that night. Time would tell who the winner would be.

Scripture reminds us that we are conquerors...even more than conquerors. The Greek words here describe one who is 'super- victorious'. It's the picture of one who wins more than an ordinary victory; it indicates abundant victory. That ought to make you think of none other than Jesus Christ.

Consider these aspects of victory in Jesus: First, we are joined with Christ. Nothing can separate us from His love (v.38-39). Second, we enjoy the power of HIs Spirit (v.26-27). Third, we are under His protection (v.28-30). Fourth, we are simply overwhelmed by His love (v.35-37). These verses emphasize that because of our Champion, Jesus, we are more than conquerors...we already know that we win!
--
The Champion of your very life, the One who has won the more-than-ordinary victory, is your Friend and Redeemer, JESUS!

--Haven Today / Bebo Norman / Bring Me to Life
<http://youtu.be/8j9Gh4YQMqw>

-GOD IS FOR ME
-By: David Wilkerson

“I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me”
(Psalm 57:2, NKJV).

I believe in a God who performs,
Who can deliver my feet from falling
And sustain me through every calamity.
When I am afraid I will trust in Him.
He will deliver my soul in peace
From the battle that is against me.

I will call on God
And He will save me.
He will bottle my tears
And mark my every step.
When I cry to Him,
My enemies will be turned back
Because God is for me.
In Him I put my trust.
I will not fear what man can do unto me;
My heart is fixed.
I will sing and give praise;
My soul shall be satisfied.

He will bring me through fire and flood
Into a desired haven.
He will cause His face to shine upon me
And daily load me with His benefits.
His face He will not hide,
But will hear me speedily.
He will never put me to confusion,
For He has given commandment to save me—
Because God is for me.

Our Richness In Christ--God Is For Me!

Give to the LORD the glory due to his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Psalm 29:2

-A COMPANION
ON THE ROAD ~~

Matthew 4:18-22
---
Jesus, walking by the
Sea of Galilee, saw
two brothers...
Then He said to
them, "Follow Me."
--Matthew 4:18-19
---
I love to walk Idaho's paths and trails and enjoy its grandeur and picturesque beauty. I'm often reminded that these treks are symbolic of our spiritual journey, for the Christian life is simply walking--with Jesus alongside as our companion and guide. He walked through the land of Israel from one end to the other, gathering disciples, saying to them, "Follow Me" (Matt. 4:19).

The journey is not always easy. Sometimes giving up seems easier than going on, but when things get difficult, we can rest a while and renew our strength. In Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan describes the arbor on Hill Difficulty where Christian caught his breath before continuing the climb. His scroll provided comfort, reminding him of the Lord's continual presence and sustaining power. He got a second wind so he could walk a few more miles.

Only God knows where the path will take us, but we have our Lord's assurance, "I am with you always" (Matt. 28:20). This is not a metaphor or other figure of speech. He is real company. There is not one hour without His presence, not one mile without His companionship. Knowing He's with us makes the journey lighter.
---
As you travel life's weary road,
let Jesus lift your heavy load. ~~

ODB/DR

BTW: Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan, is still a big seller. It's an allegory of our journey as we travel to the Celestial City to be with Jesus. It is available in book or DVD. I highly recommend this.

-The New Covenant

"Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." (Luke 22:20)

The Greek word diatheke , translated as both "testament" and "covenant," occurs thirty-three times in the New Testament, seventeen of which are in the book of Hebrews. The Hebrew word for "covenant" (berith) comes from a word meaning to "cut, or divide," referring to the fact that blood had to be shed to bind the parties involved to the covenant. (See Genesis 15:10; Jeremiah 34:18-19.) God had made covenants with Abraham and Moses on the part of the people of Israel. He had kept His part of the agreement; but in each case the others involved "continued not in my covenant" (Hebrews 8:9). But God, in His grace, has issued a new covenant.

This covenant or testament is not unlike a human "last will and testament," but there are some differences. He did not merely die, thereby enabling His children to inherit His fortune, but He is now "the mediator of a better covenant" (Hebrews 8:6). He is the sacrifice whose death was necessary to make the covenant binding, and yet He is the "surety of a better testament" (Hebrews 7:22).

He cannot fail, and hence the new covenant cannot be done away with. Through His death, He not only has removed the penalty for our previous failures, but qualified us to receive the inheritance. "For this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator" (Hebrews 9:15-16). "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

--ICR/JDM

-A NO-SMILING
POLICY

John 13:31-35
---
By this all will know
that you are My
disciples, if you have
love for one another.
--John 13:35
---
Usually we're told to smile before someone takes our picture. But in some parts of the US, a no-smiling policy is enforced when getting your photo taken for a driver's license. Because of identity theft, these motor vehicle departments carefully check new photos that are taken to be sure they don't match photos already in the system. If someone gets a picture taken under a false name, an alarm is sent to the operator. From 1999-2009, one state stopped 6,000 people from getting fraudulent licenses. But why no smiling? The technology recognizes a face more easily if the person has a neutral facial expression.

Jesus prescribed a good way to recognize a Christian. He told His disciples, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). The ways to show love to fellow believers are as endless as there are people with needs: a note of encouragement, a visit, a meal, a gentle rebuke, a prayer, a Bible verse, a listening ear, even just a friendly smile.

The apostle John wrote, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). Can others recognize, by our care for fellow Christians, that we know and love the Lord?
---
One measure of our love for God
is how much we show love to His childen.

ODB/AC

--THIS IS GRACE!

-Enabled to Serve
Philippians 2:1-11

"...think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the meansure of faith God has given you...We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is...serving, let him serve. " (Romans 12:3,6-7)

God's grace not only saves and provides forgiveness; it also enables us to live as He has called us to live.

Every believer is the recipient of a measure of faith to express the dimension of God's maniforld grace given to him or her. Did you realize that the ability to serve is a gift of grace? We may express the grace of God by performing practical acts of support and assistance to others. You may be expressing the life and love of God through baking and cleaning or repairing and doing maintenance!

Servers are hardly ever "in the limelight." They may even be under-appreciated and therefore tempted not to serve. But what is Paul's exhortation? "Serve." In light of God's mercy, serve. It is your gift of grace to the rest of the body of Christ.

In serving we find joy. Christ's love for us enables us to serve others. How fitting, since our Savior who served us ultimately by giving His very life for us, did it all for the joy set before Him.

That joy is you and I!
--
God's church is an organic body with many members: hands, ears, mouths, etc. Hands don't speak but perform the necessary actions to maintain the body. We all are part of the same body, Christ. Let's serve together for His glory!

--THIS IS GRACE! (God's Righteousness At Christ's Expense~)
---

-WHAT FAITH
CAN DO ~~

Hebrews 11:1-10
---
[God] is a rewarder
of those who
diligently seek Him.
--Hebrews 11:6
--
Let's think about the importance of having tenacity in matters of faith. The danger for those who doubt is that they stop looking for God because they believe He can't be found.

Moses warned the Israelites that future generations would wander from God. He promised, however, that those who seek God with all their heart and soul will find Him (Deut. 4:29). The book of Hebrews confirms that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (11:6).

If you struggle to believe, remember: Just because you don't see God doesn't mean He doesn't exist. He promises to be found by those who seek Him.

I searched with all my heart to know
If God was really there;
He graciously revealed Himself,
His mercy, love, and care.
---
Because God is great, He will be sought;
Because God is good, He will be found!



-YOU WILL FIND YOUR WAY IF YOU KEEP BELIEVING!
-HOPE DOESN'T EVER END EVEN WHEN THE SKY IS FALLING!

-Godliness
-Matthew 9:11-13 (recommended reading)

There is a common misconception that believers should be perfect. Pretending to have our lives in order, many of us wear happy faces and speak words that sound acceptable. At times we're ashamed to admit our shortcomings, as if they should not exist. Salvation through Jesus, however, doesn't change the fact that sin is present in our life. When we're born again, God forgives us and sees us as righteous. Yet our battle with sin continues till we arrive in heaven.

In fact, striving for perfection actually can be a trap that pulls us away from living a godly life. Functioning in this way is a form of relying on our own capability. Jesus said that He came to heal the spiritually sick because they recognized their weakness. With an awareness of our inadequacy comes the realization of our need for Him.

The world sees successful individuals as powerful and self-sufficient, but Jesus didn't care about these qualities. Instead, He wants people to be aware of their own brokenness. This is the foundation for godliness.

We should accept our neediness and seek God passionately. Doing so allows the following attributes to develop: a hunger for God's Word, faithful service, deepening trust, and decision-making based upon principle rather than preference. Patiently and mercifully, God matures us.

Be careful not to cover up your sins in order to look like a "good Christian." Without recognition and confession of our sinfulness, we are unable to rely fully on God. It is only with this awareness that we can passionately seek Him, obey in His strength, and confess with repentance when we miss the mark.

--In Touch

-"He [Jesus], who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."
--1 Thessalonians 5:24

Maybe someone has let you down recently. Or maybe you've let yourself down. Take heart! God is faithful. He will do what He says He will do.

And not only is God faithful and reliable, but He is committed to your spiritual growth and maturity. First Thessalonians 5:23-24 says, "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

I love that! Because it promises you and me that God is constantly working on us...creatively, constructively, and continually. The Spirit of God is working in your body and in your soul. And His purpose is to make you more like Him!

Remember when you were a teenager and you couldn't wait to grow up? That's how we feel sometimes as Christians. When will we ever grow up? When will we ever be responsible in the Christian life? When will we ever be obedient in the Christian life? It's so easy to become frustrated with ourselves!

But we need to remember that God is patient...and that God is persevering. And according to Philippians 1:6, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

And when God gets through with you, you're going to stand complete, perfect in the glory of Jesus Christ. You shall arise in His likeness. You will be like Jesus. That's God's goal in your life and mine...and He will be faithful to perform it!

-Are you trying to stand on your own today?
-Or are you depending on God? ---

-THE BEST
THINGS IN LIFE!

-Proverbs 23:1-18
---
Do not overwork
to be rich.
--Proverbs 23:4

An old adage says, "The best things in life are free." There's a lot of truth in that. Some peopole, however, believe that the best things in life are expensive or perhaps elusive. Recently I saw a sign that made me smile and think. It said, "The best things in life are not things." What a great way to say it! The value of family, friends, and faith points us to the realization that what matters most in life is all wrapped up in people and the Lord.

Solomon was well qualified to speak about material things because he "surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom" (1 Kings 10:23). His advice? "Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly makes themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven" (Prov. 23:4-5). His recommended course of action was, "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge...For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off" (vv.12,18).

The best things in life are the etenal riches that come from God's goodness and grace in Jesus Christ. We do not hold them in our hands, but in our hearts.
---
-Our greatest riches are the riches we have in Christ.

--ODB/DM

-BLUNDERS TO
WONDERS

-John 21:15-19
---
Turn us back to You,
O LORD, and we
will be restored.
--Lamentations 5:21
---
Artist James Hubbell says, "Mistakes are gifts." Whenever he's working on a project and something goes wrong, he doesn't start over. He looks for a way to use the mistake to make something better. None of us can avoid making blunders, and all of us have favorite ways of dealing with them. We may try to hide them or to correct them or to apologize for them.

We do that with our sin sometimes too. But God doesn't throw us away and start over. He redeems us and makes us better.

The apostle Peter tended to do and say whatever seemed best at the moment. He has been referred to as an "impetuous blunderer." In his fear after Jesus was arrested, Peter claimed three times that he didn't know Jesus! Yet later, on the basis of Peter's three declarations of love, Jesus turned Peter's humiliating denial into a wonderful occasion of restoration (John 21). Despite Peter's flawed past, Jesus restored him to ministry with these words: "Feed My sheep" (v.17).

If you have made a "blunder" so big that it seems irreversible, the most important matter is whether you love Jesus. When we love Him, Jesus can turn our most serious blunders into awesome wonders.
---
-God can change our blunders into wonders.
--ODB/JAL

-The King of Glory

"Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah." (Psalm 24:10)

In the upper room just before His betrayal, the Lord Jesus prayed to His Father, remembering "the glory which I had with thee before the world was" (John 17:5). He had left heaven, however, when "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (1:14). Then, when He miraculously turned water into wine at the wedding in Galilee, He "manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him" (John 2:11).

In the days of His flesh, His glory was veiled, however, except in His life and words of grace and truth, and in His mighty works. He "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:7-8).

Finally, His glory seemed to be gone forever as He lay in a borrowed tomb. But then "God . . . raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God" (1 Peter 1:21).

He is now "the Lord of glory" (James 2:1), who, being the very "brightness of [God's] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3).

As He ascended back to heaven, all His hosts of angels welcomed their Lord of hosts with a mighty anthem of praise: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory" (Psalm 24:9-10). HMM

-WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY? JESUS!!!

-Evaluating True Riches

-BIBLE MEDITATION:
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:17

-DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you want to know how rich you are? Add up everything you own that money cannot buy, that death nor disaster cannot take away, and then you'll know just how rich you are. What did you discover? Hopefully, you discovered that it's time you started laying up true riches. Because all the rest will burn away. If you are putting all of your labor in this world, it's like rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship.

-ACTION POINT:
Read Matthew 6:19-21.
Where is your heart? Where is your treasure?
--Adrian Rogers

-PANNING
FOR GOLD ~

Luke 18:18-30
----
The genuineness of
your faith [is] much
more precious than
gold.--1 Peter 1:7

While on vacation in Alaska, we visited the El Dorado Gold Mine near Fairbands. After a tour and demonstrations of mining techniques during Gold Rush days, we got to do a little panning for gold. Each person was given a pan and a bag of dirt and stones. After pouring the contents into the pan, we added water from a trough and swirled it around to stir up the silt and allow the gold, which is heavy, to sink to the bottom. Even though we had watched experts, we made little progress. The reason? Concerned about discarding something of value, we were unwilling to throw away worthless stones.

This reminded me of of how possessions sometimes keep us from finding what is truly valuable. Jesus had an encounter with a rich man for whom this was true. His earthly wealth was more important to him than spiritual treasure (Luke 18:18-30). Jesus said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" (v.24)

Although money is not evil, it can prevent us from inheriting true riches if accumulating it is the goal of our lives. To hoard wealth is foolish, for it is genuine faith, not gold, that will sustain us through trials and result in praise, honor, and glory to God (1 Peter 1:7).

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hands.
----------
-Keep your eyes on Jesus so you don't allow earthly riches to blind you to spiritual riches. ~~
--ODB/JAL

-UNREWARDED ~

-Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21
---
Your Father who
sees in secret will
reward you openly.
--Matthew 6:18

MOST of us look to friends and colleagues for rewards: a slap on the back, a hero's medal, applause, a sincere compliment. But according to Jesus, the more important rewards await us after death. It's possible that the most significant human acts of all are carried out in secret, seen by no one but God. In a nutshell, the message of the kingdom is this: Live for God and not other people.

As Jesus explained, we are accumulating a kind of savings account, storing up "treasures in heaven" (Matt. 6:20) rather than on earth--treasures so great that they will compensate for any amount of suffering. The Old Testament has dropped a few scant hints about an afterlife, but Jesus spoke plainly about a place where "the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13:43).

In their quest for a kingdom, the Jews of Jesus' day had been looking for signs of God's approval in this life, primarily through prosperity and political power. Beginning with this speech, Jesus changed the focus to the life to come (ch.6). He discounted success in this visible world. Invest in the future life, He cautioned. After all, rust, a thief, or a lowly insect can destroy all else that we accumulate (v.20).

"Lord, help us not to seek the applause of our
friends and colleagues, but rather to look to You
for approval. Teach us to put into practice the
principles of the Sermon on the Mount. Amen."
----
-Reward in eternity does not depend upon recognition in life.
--ODB/PY

-The Father Testifies of the Son

"Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." (John 12:28)

This is the last of three remarkable occasions during the earthly ministry of Christ when God the Father spoke directly from heaven concerning His only begotten Son. The first was at His baptism. "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17; also, Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). This thrice-recorded testimony was given primarily to the forerunner, John the Baptist, who said, "And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost" (John 1:33).

The second was to three chosen disciples at the transfiguration. "Behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matthew 17:5). Years later Peter recalled, "This voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount" (2 Peter 1:18).

Finally, the Father spoke in the words of our text for the day, in direct response to the prayer of His Son, at the beginning of the final week before His crucifixion. The message was to His Son, but for the people. Jesus said, "This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes" (John 12:30), as He spoke of His imminent death on the cross.

When God spoke from heaven, the message was to assure and encourage His own dear ones: John, the disciples, and Jesus Himself. But it has also become an exhortation to all people for all time. Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and God is glorified in Him. Hear Him!

--ICR/HMM

-To whom will you turn?

"Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."
- John 6:6-7

God does not propose to be called to account for his ways and works. It is for his glory to conceal his purposes now; but by and by they will be revealed in their true importance.

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:" 2 Peter 1:19

The disciples had found more peace and joy since they had accepted Christ than in all their previous lives. The teachers of Israel were slaves to formalism. The Pharisees and Sadducees were in constant contention. To leave Jesus was to fall among sticklers for rites and ceremonies, and ambitious men who sought their own glory. How could they go back to those who had scorned and persecuted the Friend of sinners? They had long been looking for the Messiah; now He had come, and they could not turn from His presence to those who were hunting His life, and had persecuted them for becoming His followers.

"To whom shall we go?" Not from the teaching of Christ, His lessons of love and mercy, to the darkness of unbelief, the wickedness of the world. While the Saviour was forsaken by many who had witnessed His wonderful works, Peter expressed the faith of the disciples,--"Thou art that Christ." The very thought of losing this anchor of their souls filled them with fear and pain. To be destitute of a Saviour was to be adrift on a dark and stormy sea.

Dear reader, for wisdom and strength to live amidst today's complexing problems, to whom will you turn?

-Making Disciples
-Read | Matthew 28:18-20 -(Recommended Reading)
----
Scripture teaches us to tell others about Jesus Christ. And while sharing the gospel is awesome, it is simply not enough. We should continue to encourage and invest in new believers. Many don't know where to begin reading in the Bible or how to spend time with their heavenly Father.

Of course, God takes each person's spiritual journey seriously, and He won't leave a seeking heart unsatisfied. At the same time, we have a responsibility to invest in the lives of spiritual brothers and sisters by sharing our understanding and experience.

This type of teaching is called discipleship, and it is both an honor and a great responsibility. As you commence this type of relationship, consider the following points.

First, make sure to continually spend time with the Lord so that you are growing and in tune with His Spirit. Second, be prepared with a plan. Your friend needs to understand the basics, such as how to read the Bible, what prayer is, and where to find fellowship. New believers will have questions--answers are important, as is your ability to find resources when you are unsure of how to reply. Third, help the individual understand generally what to expect as he embarks on his Christian walk.

Most of us learned, struggled, and learned some more till we began to understand the basics of life in Christ. Godly mentors can be a tremendous help.
And remember, no matter how long we've believed, we never stop needing advice and encouragement from those farther along in the journey.

Sanctification is a daily growing, learning process as we become better disciples for our Lord, to reach out to others who do not know Him. Jesus loves all people, and that includes YOU. Please reach out to Him, and He will help you. He will answer, in His way.
"His grace is sufficient for all of those that call upon His name to be saved."
-- JESUS LOVES YOU SO MUCH! PLEASE NEVER FORGET THAT!

-Looking Unto Jesus

-BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

-DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What does it mean to "look to Jesus" to have all of our needs met? Well, let's say I borrow ten thousand dollars from Dan, a friend of mine, but then I discover that I can't pay it back. Dan is on to me and says, "If you don't pay it back, I'm going to foreclose on you."

So I go over to another friend, Tom, and tell him about my dire situation and ask for his help. Tom says, "That's alright, Adrian, look to me."

Notice that he didn't say, "Look at me." He said, "Look to me." In other words, "I'll handle it." That's what the Bible means when it says "look unto Jesus." It means look to Him for whatever you need.

-ACTION POINT:
Who is looking to you to have their needs met today? Are you then looking to God or are you trying to do it on your own?
Keep your eyes on Jesus. He will never let you down.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!

--Every Tribe, Tongue, Nation
-Revelations 5:9-10;7:9-10

-"...there before me was a great multitude...from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9)

"We believe Jesus in heavenly things--our adoption in Christ; so we follow Him in earthly things--the adoption of children" (Russell Moore, "Adopted for Life," 2009). You probably will not have to look very far--perhaps just to your own Church, or circle of friends--to see families who have adopted, a young woman who has placed a child in an adoptive home, or an older couple who volunteers at a local crisis pregnanct center.You may be adopted. Adoption brings a whole new unity to mind. It's not like a support group; it's a deeper unity in Christ, and it's all around us.

God told Abraham from the beginning of his journey that through him all nations would be blessed (Genesis 26:4), Galatians 3:8). God's love would go out with fervency to every tribe, tongue and nation. The God who adopts from every corner of this earth brings us together in Jesus. We can marvel at the far reaches of His love that brings children from an orphanange in Haiti to a Hospital in middle-America. That love reaches to you, too.
---
ADOPTION BRINGS A WHOLE KALEIDOSCOPE OF PEOPLE TOGETHER. YOU AND I ARE AMONG THE WIDE VARIETY THAT MAKE UP GOD'S BIG AND GROWING FAMILY.
--Haven Today

--How You Can Move God's Mission Forward~~

'And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.'
--Ephesians 4:11-12

-In the late fall when the weather starts getting colder, it’s not uncommon to see flocks of Canadian geese flying overhead in a V-shaped pattern. I read not long ago that the goose at the front of the “V” is the one working the hardest. He’s taking the wind head on and creating a draft that helps the geese behind him fly more easily.

The goose at the front, however, doesn’t stay at the front. In fact, throughout the journey, the lead goose will rotate back and another will replace it over and over again. This act ensures the goose doing the most work won’t tire out, and benefits the flock overall by enabling it to fly a greater distance.

Perhaps you’ve heard the statistic that about 20% of people in church today do 80% of the work of the ministry of the church. This is staggering, particularly when you consider that among those 20%, many of them are burning out and giving up because they’re tired of carrying the load.

The church needs to take a lesson from the geese: When everyone plays a part, we all go farther. Don’t let laziness keep you from doing the work of ministry. Get actively involved in the ministry of the church and you’ll help move the mission of God forward!

-MOVE GOD’S MISSION FORWARD BY DOING YOUR PART IN THE MINISTRY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH.
--PP/JG
[We must all do what we can to help forward the Lord's Return. If you are unable to attend your local Church, remember, the 'people' are the Church. So, watch good godly Ministries online or Television. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your steps to stay on His path. There are many 'false religions' preaching another Gospel other than the Lord's message to His Apostles. May God Bless America! In God we trust! And please share with others what the Lord reveals to your Spirit. We need each other!]

-- O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
--By: John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” (1 John 3:1)

-The Christian church has a rich heritage in its hymns. Over the years, dear saints of God have framed great Christian doctrines in music, easy to remember and a joy to sing. The unfathomable love of Christ for us is laid out clearly in the first verse of one such hymn, “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus.”

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

Our text reminds us that the love of Christ is a different kind of love than that which we can express or even comprehend. We can only ask, “What manner of love is this?” We know it as grace, unmerited favor, a sweet blessing given to us we do not deserve.

This love surrounds us, buoying us up and sweeping us along in its current. We have the privilege of returning that love: “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Such love led Him to Calvary and us to eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

This love will lead us on to glory, where we will spend eternity with the Author of love. Here He continues forever extending His love gifts to us. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). His love for us is so deep. JDM
=/ O The Deep Deep Love of Jesus + Selah~
<http://youtu.be/9hzYKovRsJ8>

--Your Name on God’s Hand

-When I see a flock of sheep I see exactly that, a flock. A rabble of wool. I don’t see a sheep. 'I see sheep'. All alike. None different. But not so with the Shepherd. To him every sheep is different. Every face has a story. John 10:3 says, “The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name.”

-When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, 'a crowd'. We see people, not persons. A herd of humans. But not so with the Shepherd. To him every face is different. Every face is a story. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And he will never forget it.

God said in Isaiah 49:16, “I have written your name on my hand.” Quite a thought isn’t it? Your name on God’s lips. My… could it be?
--God Whispers Your Name/ML

--LOOK TO
-THE HILLS

-READ:-Psalm 121
-----
'I will lift up my eyes to
the hills--from whence comes
my help! My help comes from
the LORD, who made
Heaven and Earth.'
--Psalm 121:1-2
-----
Atop Corcovado Mountain over looking the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, stands 'Christ the Redeemer', one of the tallest statues of Christ in the world. Standing 30 meters tall, with arms spreading 28 meters, this sculpture weighs 635 tonnes. It can be seen day or night from almost anywhere in the city. One look to the hills brings this figure of 'Christ the Redeemer' into view.

The New Testament tells us that Christ is not only the Redeemer, but He is also the Creator of the universe, and that Creator is in view in Psalm 121. There the Psalmist challenges us to lift our eyes to the hills to see God, for our "help comes from the LORD, who made Heaven and Earth" (vv.1-2). He alone is sufficient to be our strength and to guide our steps as we make our way through a dangerous and troubled world.

We lift our eyes to the One who keeps us (v.3), guards us (vv.5-6), and overshadows us in the face of all types of danger. He preserves us from evil and keeps us safely in His care for all eternity (vv.7-8).

In faith, we lift our eyes to the One who is our Redeemer and Creator. He is our help and our hope and our Eternal Home.~~
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home!
-----------
--Christ was lifted up that He might lift us up. // I LIFT UP MY EYES/ Paul Wilbur
--ODB/BC -/ <http://youtu.be/k--jh8HuaNc>
---------

--Can Material Things Make You Happy~~

--For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
--1 John 2:16-17

-Peggy Noonan, who served in the administration of three U.S. Presidents, wrote a book in 1990 called 'What I Saw at the Revolution'. In it, she discussed the Baby Boomer generation, those who grew up in the 50s and 60s, and talked about how our generation was the first one to truly expect to find happiness in the here and now.

She went on to say that this generation has all the technology, gadgets, and education we could imagine. We’ve had more privileges and possessions than any generation that has come before us. Yet despite all this, Noonan says, we’re one of the unhappiest generations in history.

So why is that? Well, I believe that the more we have at our disposal, the more tempted we will be to try to find our joy in those things. Many people today look to their toys and their things to bring them ultimate satisfaction. These are things that may gratify for a short time, but they’ll never satisfy.

There’s only one thing in the world that can be a source of real and lasting joy: a relationship with Jesus Christ. So instead of looking at things to fulfill you, look to Jesus and find your ultimate satisfaction in Him!

-LOOK TO JESUS, NOT MATERIAL THINGS, TO FIND YOUR ULTIMATE JOY AND SATISFACTION.~~

--PP/JG=/ Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus~~(no lyrics)
<http://youtu.be/y1v1Er0y6UI>
-----------

--WHAT DO
-YOU EXPECT~

--John 16:25-33
-----
In the world you will
have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I
have overcome the
world.--John 16:33
--------
-IN C.S. Lewis' book 'God in the Dock', he wrote "Imagine a set of people all living in the same building. Half of them think it is a hotel, the other half think it is a prison. Those who think it a hotel might regard it as quite intolerable, and those who thought it was a prison might decide that it was really surprisingly comfortable." Lewis cleverly used this contrast between a hotel and a prison to illustrate how we view life based on our expectations. He says, "If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable; think of it as a place of training and correction and it's not so bad."

Sometimes we expect that life should be pain-free. But that isn't what the Bible teaches. For the believer, this world is a place of spiritual development through both good times and bad. Jesus was realistic when He explained what to expect. He told His disciples, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In facing life's blessings and bruises, we can have the inner peace that God is orchestrating events according to His sovereign plan.

Christ's presence in our lives enables us to "be of good cheer" even in the midst of pain.~~
-----------
--IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLES, PEACE CAN BE FOUND IN JESUS.~

--ODB/DF

---The Ultimate Father-Son Relationship

John 5:19-20

-God is called by a variety of names in the Bible, and each one sheds light on an aspect of His nature.
Jesus' favorite title for Him was Father. Surprisingly, this name for God is used only 15 times in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, it's recorded 245 times!

Many of God's names speak of His majestic and lofty attributes that separate Him from mankind, but Father conveys intimacy. Jesus used this name not only because He was God's Son, but also to help people realize that Jehovah isn't some unapproachable Deity gazing down on them from a distance. Rather, He is their loving Heavenly Father, who cares about them and wants to be involved in their everyday lives.

Throughout His time on earth, Christ revealed by example what this kind of love relationship was like. He depended completely on His Father for daily direction, power, and provision and obediently carried out every instruction. He often left the demands of ministry just to find a secluded place to be alone with Jehovah. We know Jesus successfully conveyed the riches of this relationship to His disciples, because in John 14:8, Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father"—he wanted to know Him the way Christ did.

Do you long for that kind of intimacy with God? He wants to relate to you as a Father to His child, and He's given you the privilege of drawing near to Him. In fact, He chose you before the foundation of the world and waits with open arms for you to enter His loving embrace.
--IN TOUCH = / VICTORY IN JESUS -(LIVE) Gaither Group
<http://youtu.be/P8ajtJtNXF4>
--------

---Are You Joyful and Positive?
----(Your Attitude Will Determine Your Outcome)

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
--Psalm 118:24


-If you’re around negative people very much, you know what a downer they can be. Some people just seem to always see the negative side of things, and refuse to embrace hope or happiness.

But as Christians, we need to get rid of those negative attitudes. That’s exactly what Paul did in his writings. He was even in prison when he wrote several of his letters, but he chose to rejoice in the Lord! Paul would agree that your attitude will determine your outcome.

Every day, we should make a decision to rejoice and thank God, no matter our situation. Christians should be the most insanely joyful people on the earth! We don’t need to struggle all day with fear or worry because we know that Christ has everything in His hands, and He won’t let us go.

Learning to rejoice in the day is a process of training and disciplining ourselves to serve Christ and live in the joy of His love and grace. We may get irritable and stressed at times, but if the determination of our hearts is to rejoice in the Lord, we can find the good in everything—even in the little delays and frustrations of the day that so often upset us.

There is a wonderful little children’s chorus that begins, “This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” That would be a good daily anthem to sing.

Choose to live your life today in the shadow of God’s grace, and rejoice that He has given you another day of life to serve Him.

---ARE YOU JOYFUL AND POSITIVE?
--PP/JG
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhZAa8fh4kY#t=48>
-----------

---SPILL YOUR HEART BEFORE GOD~~

--As a member of God’s family, come to Him— not as a stranger, but as an heir. Earnestly make your requests known to him; not because of what you have achieved, but because of what Christ has done! Jesus spilled his blood for you. You can spill your heart before God.

Jesus said if you have faith, you can tell a mountain to go and jump into the sea (Mark 11:23). What is your mountain? What is the challenge of your life? Call out to God for help! Will he do what you want? I cannot say, but this I can say, “He will do what is best.” That includes any force that is seeking to drive you out of the Promised Land. “Ask and it will be given to you,” Jesus said in Matthew 7:7. It is a battle, but you do not fight in vain. Call on God for great things!

--Glory Days/ML~~
[Sometimes we wonder if God hears us. If He wants to heal us or someone we love. He always hears and he answers in His timing. It may be 'yes', 'no', or 'not now.' Our best answer will be when we live in eternity with Jesus. Life is brief.

"What is your life? You are a vapor (mist), that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14) "Anyone who knows to do good and does not do it, sins." (vs.17)

For now, allow Him to use you to spread His Good News of salvation to a lost and dying world. We are on this earth to give Him glory. Tell others of 'SALVATION' found only in Jesus Christ. We Press On, in Jesus Name. If you have not yet watched the DVD, "Road to Emmaus", (more than once, as a reminder/ 30 minutes ), please do so. It may encourage you to get your eyes off 'self' and fix them on Jesus, and 'go and tell what the Lord hath said.'// "This Gospel of the kingdom will be preached to the whole world, then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)]

--YOU AT YOUR BEST~~

-Call it what you wish. A talent…a skill set…a gift. The terms are different, but the truth is the same. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.”

You aren’t the only person with your skill. But you are the only person with your version of your skill. You entered the world uniquely equipped. Psalm 139:13-15 describes it as “knit together, woven together in the dark of the womb, intricately and curiously wrought.”

Each of us! Not some of us, a few of us, or the elite among us. Each of us has a beauty that longs to be revealed and released. It is you at your best! When you stand at the intersection of your skill and God’s call, you are standing at the corner of Promised Land Avenue and Glory Days Boulevard.~~

--Glory Days/ML
[Each person has her or his own 'gift to serve,' for the Lord. You may be better at singing in the choir. Some like to help in the kitchen/baking foods for Church gatherings. Or even 'bake-good sales' to use the collection $$ to help a worthy cause. Your gift may be typing on the internet, or simply praying for those in need of healing or other needs.
The men may be called to help keep the church cleaned indoors, or even out in the yard. But, we ALL have a 'special gift' from the Lord.]

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua, Yahweh= YHWH." -(Colossians 3:17)]~~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd1DXeLErfI>
-----

--MARY and the GRACE of GOD ~~

-"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God."
--(Luke 1:30)~

-THIS announcement by the angel Gabriel to the virgin Mary, that she had been chosen as the mother of the coming Savior, contains the first mention in the New Testament of the Greek word for grace (charis). Mary was chosen, not for anything she had done, but because she had "found grace."

But there is an even greater dimension to the grace of God. When we do "find" grace, it is actually because God in His infinitely prescious grace has found us and revealed to us the Saviour of our souls. Just as God found Moses in the desert and found Paul on the road to Damascus, then saved and called them to His service, so He finds us, and then we also find His saving grace.

Mary's discovery of God's grace in salvation, through the coming of the "seed of the woman" into the world, is revealed in her Magnificat: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46-47). This could well have also been the testimony of Noah long ago, and it surely should be the testimony of each of us who has found grace today.~
--ICR/HMM / Your Grace Finds Me / Matt Redman
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmFJkGEv3Lw>

--What Makes the Difference?/ Jesus Christ ~~
-( From: When Christ Comes/ML)

--I once shared a class with a girl who got engaged. I don’t remember much about the class except the hour was early and the teacher was dull. I don’t even remember the girl’s name. I do remember that she didn’t stand out in the crowd. She was shy and not very confident.

One day, however, her hair changed and her outfit changed. Even her voice changed. She spoke with confidence. What made the difference? Simple. A young man she loved looked her squarely in the eye and said, “Come and spend forever with me.” He proposed to her. His love for her convinced her she was worth loving.

God’s love can do the same. It can change us! The Bible says, “God has loved you with an everlasting love; He has drawn you with loving-kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).

--Jesus can live without us—but He doesn’t want to!~~

~~~~~~~~~~
--"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
--(1 Corinthians 1:9)

--"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried; he is a buckler to all those that trust in Him."
--(Psalm 18:30)

-"Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
--(John 14:27)~~

--THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER ~~
--(Please Read: Colossians 4:2-6)

Prayer is a priority for any person who desires to be used mightily by the Lord. Jesus often slipped away to spend quiet moments with His Father. If the Son of God needed prayer time, then we surely can’t live well without it! Those who “go it alone” become weary from bearing unnecessary burdens in their lives. There are serious results of carrying that extra weight throughout life.

When a person is drained spiritually, emotionally, or physically, he or she becomes more susceptible to discouragement. Joshua was exhorted to meditate on the Law day and night, because his success was dependent upon following the will of God. (See Josh. 1:8-9.) Keeping the heavenly Father at the center of one’s focus builds confidence. Without spending time in prayer and Bible reading, believers enter a vicious cycle where troubles loom ever larger as man-made solutions fail. Under such conditions, discouragement is unavoidable.

Loss of confidence is soon followed by doubt. A believer immersed in prayer and Scripture reading will find security in God’s power and presence. But someone who questions His faithfulness will seek refuge everywhere except in those disciplines. Eventually, he or she will step out of God’s will while chasing a counterfeit solution. Sadly, the result is often a marred testimony.

Forsaking prayer results in a downward slide. But the direction can be reversed at any time. The corrective steps are simple: Confess your prayerlessness to the heavenly Father, and then make a priority of regular quiet time with the Lord. In those moments of communion, He will make burdens light, offer encouragement, and fill your heart with confidence. ~~
--IN TOUCH~~-/[Remember, we can talk to the Lord all during the day or night. He said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Faithful One/ Robin Mark~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxviwvjyg1w>
-----

--PRAYING THE PROMISES OF GOD
---(Please Read / Isaiah 40:8)

Jesus made it clear that we would endure hardship in this life. But God gave His children amazing tools to keep trials from overwhelming us. For instance, He placed His Spirit inside each believer to guide and empower. In addition, He gave us prayer so we could not only communicate and stay connected with our Father but also bring Him our requests.

Today I want to focus on yet another one of His marvelous gifts: the Bible. Scripture is the actual Word of God Almighty. It is truth. It never changes. It enables us in all circumstances, so we have a sure foundation on which to base our lives and decisions.

There are thousands of promises in the Bible--countless assurances that we can rely on with perfect confidence. God wants us to learn them so we won't miss out on blessings He wants to give. And wise believers will turn His promises into prayers and the cries of their hearts.

Let me give you an example that relates to difficult decisions. Psalms 32:8 states, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." We can pray God's words back to Him, saying that we believe He will teach us and reveal His path, while remaining by our side as our caregiver through the entire situation.

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.
[Isaiah 40:8 / "The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the Word of our God stands forever!"]
--IN TOUCH~~
[I highly recommend that you have a 'God's Promises' book and read it. Perhaps keep it by your bed to read before going to sleep. His Word is alive and powerful sharper than any two-edged sword. As we study the Promises, and say them back to the Father, He acts on his Word. His Word will not return unto Him void. God can not lie.]

--THE JUDGE - / JESUS~~
----(Please Read/ Acts 10:42-48)

During our life on earth, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. However, as our days here draw to a close, and especially at the end of time, He takes His seat as Judge and prepares to reward believers for the good things they did in His name.

I think there is a widespread misconception that God the Father will be our judge. But it is Christ who gave us, His followers, the charge to go into the world and make disciples (Matt. 28:19). Therefore, He has been given the right to determine which of our actions and thoughts furthered His goal (John 5:22).

-Christ is an impartial Judge. He is not influenced by what others think or say, but rather, He determines what is right and good based on His honorable, just standard. We'll be stripped of our worthless works--in other words, the actions and words we used for selfish ambition or vain conceit. All that will remain are the worthwhile things we thought, said, and did to honor God. These are the valuable parts of our lives for which we will be rewarded.

Reward is the whole point of placing believers before the judgment seat of Christ. Shame and guilt over past sin and mistaken motivation have no place there (Rom. 8:1). Our loving Savior is eager to show us our heavenly treasure.

Christ will expose the real you at the judgment seat by casting away the worthless things you've done. What remains will be the man or woman who endeavored to please the Lord. Let us determine to be powerful reflections of our Savior, both on Earth and in Heaven.
--IN TOUCH~--/ Creed by Brandon Heath & Third Day ~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hoze8xKK3Ls>
-------

--GOD'S WISDOM REVEALED~
--(Please Read/ 1 Corinthians 2:6-16)

--After exposing the futility of worldly thinking in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul introduces Christians to the higher realm of godly wisdom. This kind of knowledge and understanding isn't available through human intelligence and reasoning; it comes strictly through divine revelation.
Only those indwelt by God's Spirit have "the mind of Christ" (v. 16) and access to "the things freely given" to them by God (v. 12).

Without this supernatural insight, no one can accurately know the Lord or His ways. Many people say they believe in God yet may not have a correct understanding of Him because their perceptions are based on their own thoughts and ideas. It's easier to custom-design a god to fit our preferences than to make the required adjustments that worship of the one true God demands.

Even believers need to guard against trying to fit God into their preconceived image of Him. The Bible is the only reliable source of divine revelation, but we must be careful to consider the Scriptures as a whole--it's critical that we don't just pick and choose the verses we want to believe. For example, by focusing only on passages that emphasize the Lord's lovingkindness while excluding those that speak of His holiness and justice, we misunderstand His true nature.

Let's seek to know the Lord in truth by considering the entire counsel of Scripture. Divine wisdom is available to every believer through the Holy Spirit, who searches the depths of God. May we never try to limit Him to fit our preferences. Instead, may He enlarge our minds to embrace His thoughts.
-IN TOUCH~~(A Christmas Video, Enjoy!)
--'Come Thou Long Expected Jesus' / Laura Story ~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oK5teQGbNc>
--------

---POWER IN THE ARK~~

“And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.”
---(1 Samuel 5:3)

The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant, where God met with His people, and set it up in the temple of their god, Dagon. The first night, Dagon fell down before the Ark; the second night, he fell down broken in pieces. On the next day, a great plague fell on the people of Ashdod, and forthwith they sent the Ark away!

Just as Dagon fell before the Ark, which was a type of Christ, so the priests and soldiers, who came to take Jesus away, “went backward, and fell to the ground” in His presence (John 18:6). Similarly, just as the temple of Dagon could hold the Ark no longer than three days, and the whale could only hold God’s prophet Jonah for three days, so the grave could not hold Jesus longer than three days.

The Ark also exhibited its great power both to bless and to curse. It brought death to the Philistines who desecrated it, and even to the Israelites at Beth-shemesh, when they foolishly looked into the Ark (1 Samuel 6:19). However, it evidently brought blessing to the house of the Levite Abinadab, where it stayed for 20 years (1 Samuel 7:1-2), and later to the house of Obed-edom (2 Samuel 6:11).

-The same is true of the Lord Jesus Christ and of all who are “in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:10). The presence of Christ was a blessing to many, but others “besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear” (Luke 8:37).

“For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).
--ICR/HMM / The Fear of the Lord--Tommy Walker~~
- <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5SnupM8Ws>
----

-----FOREVER HE IS ALIVE!!

--"Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who die in Jesus."
--(1 Thessalonians 4:14 MSG)

~~~For...any follower of Christ, the promise is simply this: The resurrection of Jesus is proof and preview of our own.

But can we trust the promise? Is the resurrection a reality? Are the claims of the empty tomb true? This is not only a good question. It is 'the' question.
For as Paul wrote, "If Christ has not been raised, then your faith has nothing to it; you are still guilty of your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). In other words, if Christ has been raised, then his followers will join Him; but if not, then his followers are fools. The resurrection, then, is the keystone in the arch of the Christian faith.~~

--'WHEN CHRIST COMES"/ ML~~--/"FOREVER" / Kari Jobe~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9D-1soVn1I>
------

---THE BELIEVERS JOURNEY TO THE CROSS~~
--(Please Read/ John 12:23-27)--

--We all know that Jesus walked the road to Calvary, but did you know that believers also journey to the Cross? We've all been positionally crucified with Christ, but those who hunger for Him participate in a deeper experience of this reality. Jesus lovingly takes their hand and leads them to the cross. Even though this is the last place anyone wants to go, it's the only way to partake of God's best for our lives.

The trip to the cross is not one you take with family and friends. It's a lonely journey with just you and Jesus. He strips away everyone and everything you've depended on so that you'll learn to rely only on Him. While we're at the cross, He uncovers layer after layer of self-deception until we begin to see ourselves as He does. Soon our self-centeredness, inadequacy, and failures are laid bare.

The Cross is a place of brokenness, but it's necessary because there's no other way we'll ever bear fruit. If we hang onto our lives and refuse to take this journey, we'll be like a grain of wheat that is never planted and never grows. But those who willingly die to themselves will produce an abundance of spiritual fruit. The only way Christ can live His life through us is if we've allowed ourselves to be crucified.

--God doesn't want you to be content with just your salvation. There's so much more He desires to give you and accomplish through you. Are you willing to take the road to the Cross with Him? Yes, it's painful, but the rewards in this life and in eternity far outweigh any suffering you will experience.
--IN TOUCH~~
--'YOU ARE MY KING'/ AMAZING LOVE= Candi Pearson Shelton~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOAkTff3J1g>
-----------

---GOD, OUR VINE KEEPER~~
-----
---God is like a vine keeper. He lives and loves to coax the best out of his vines. He pampers, prunes, blesses, and cuts. His aim is singular: “What can I do to prompt produce?” Like an orchardist God carefully superintends the vineyard.

-And who are we in this allegory? We are the branches. We bear fruit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, & self control”(Galatians 5:22 NASB). The Father tends. Jesus nourishes. You can’t help but ask, “Who runs this vineyard?” And God is honored.

For this reason fruit bearing matters to God. And it matters to you, doesn’t it? Our assignment is not fruitfulness but faithfulness. The secret to fruit bearing and anxiety-free living is less about doing more and more about abiding.

--'Anxious for Nothing'/ML~~
-[Jesus is the Vine--Followers Are Branches. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." ---(John 15:4-5)]
--ABIDE WITH ME/ Matt Redman~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1nuDXZrp9k>
-----

--KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, JESUS CHRIST!

---A Big View of God~~

"Holy, holy, holy is the
Lord God Almighty. He was,
He is, and He is coming."
-
-----Exactly what is worship? I like King David's definition. "Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together" (PS. 34:3 NASB).

Worship is the act of magnifying God. Enlarging our vision of Him. Stepping into the cockpit to see where He sits and observe how He works. Of course, His size doesn't change, but our perception of Him does.

As we draw nearer to Jesus, He seems larger. Isn't that what we need? A big view of God? Don't we have big problems, big worries, big questions? Of course we do. Hence we need a big view of God

Worship offers that. How can we sing, "Holy, Holy, Holy" and not have our vision expanded?

--Just Like Jesus/ML~ / KING KINGS, LORD OF LORDS / with Don Moen~ <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsustiWbF6U>
--------

---WALK PROTECTED~~

-[1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV®)]
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. . . .

Occasionally a news report will come out of Africa about an inexperienced big game hunter who decided to get too close to a lion and paid a price for that decision. The guy had probably invested a lot of time and money to be on safari, and in his excitement and bravado he had climbed out of his vehicle. He probably said, “Hey, watch this!”

I have been to some of those game parks, and I have seen the wildlife. It has never occurred to me to climb out of the safety of the vehicle and get closer because I know the damage those animals can inflict. It is no game to them—they are looking for a meal. Peter is cautioning us to be alert because the devil is like a roaring lion that is looking for someone to devour. It is not a cowardly act when we avoid those things that might lead to an encounter with evil. In fact, it is a brilliant move to “be self-controlled and alert” and do everything in our power to resist evil by staying within the protective boundaries of our faith.

**THINK ABOUT IT
What is your action plan for staying away from evil and inside the protective boundaries of your faith?

**PRAYER
"Heavenly Father, there are days when I feel like prey for the enemy. I know that the fruit of the Holy Spirit includes self-discipline, which can help me walk protected wherever You call me. Help me to cultivate a fruitful life. Show me the opportunities for serving You through loving Your people. In Jesus’ name, amen."

**Blessings,
**Pastor Allen Jackson
**Intend Ministries
[We have been told repeatedly that 'the god of this world, Satan, is in control until Jesus comes back. So beware! Stay in the Word of God and prayer. "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee." --(James 4:7)]

-----I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS~~

--Exactly what did God give up when he gave his Son to the world?

--I've decided I cannot know. Why? Because I have never been to Heaven. When God gave us his Son, his Son gave up Heaven. Try to imagine that sacrifice. What if you were to leave your home and become homeless or leave the human race and become a mosquito or a wasp? Would that be comparable to God's becoming human? Jesus, whose address in Heaven was Everywhere, limited himself to a human body in a map-dot town on the fringe of the Roman Empire.

Of course, as you said, He did this "for a time." Maybe that is part of the sacrifice. God is timeless, unbound by clocks or calendars. And for a time He entered time.

But as I said, I've never lived in Heaven, and I've never been eternal, so I can't understand what He gave up.

Nor have I been sinless, so I can't imagine what it was like to become sin. This is the heart of the Christian Gospel. That He who had no sin took on sin (2 Cor. 5 verse 21). That Christ on the Cross became a sinner in the eyes of Heaven. That He experience the pain and punishment due to every rapist, thief, mass murderer, and despot.

He paid the price for sin by becoming a sinner. Since I've always been a sinner, I can't appreciate this sacrifice.

-It seems to me that God gave more than we could ever ask.~

--'Max on Life'/ML~~ ---"I'd Rather Have Jesus" / By: Miriam Snow ~ <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BwbR-MZA1A>
-----

---A GOD LIKE JESUS~~

"Who is a God like You,
pardoning iniquity and
passing over transgres-
sion for the remnant of
His inheritance? He does
not retain His anger
forever, because He
delights in steadfast
love."-(Micah 7:18)--

--WHEN YOU HEAR THE word God, what do you think of? Do you think of a stern or angry judge? a gentle grandfather who overlooks your foibles and mistakes? Or do you think of the man Jesus hanging on the Cross?

God is Judge. He does not simply overlook foibles and mistakes, iniquities and transgressions. God's wrath does not come because He is vindictive or spiteful. He is holy and demands holiness from His people. From you.

God is the man Jesus hanging on the Cross , satisfying His own wrath. 'The Lamb of God', Jesus, appeases the anger of God so that God passes over our transgression. The Son of God, Jesus, gives us His own holiness.

Although sin angers God, He also delights in showing His steadfast love. Love is who He is. He loves all people. He loves you. He delights in you, the remnant of His inheritance. He makes you to be, instead of corrupt and worthless, perfect and beloved. Who is a God like this? Jesus is the one God like this.~~

-"O God, thank You for delighting in steadfast love and forgiving our sin. Hold ever before us Your Son, the God of the Cross, so that we may be declared righteous before You. What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Thank You, Father God, for sending Your only begotten Son to pay our sin-debt on the Cross. We give You praise. "--"LOVE LIKE THIS"/ Lauren Daigle ~~<https://youtu.be/7IV9-nhOoTw>
--------

-----A HERITAGE OF FAITH~~

---“You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.”
--(JOHN 4:22/ NIV)

----God chose the Jewish people for a unique purpose. Through them we have the Scriptures, the prophets, the Law, and the Messiah. It’s through the Jewish people that the redemptive purposes of God have been revealed. The salvation for all of humanity was delivered through the Jewish people. Today, seated at the right hand of God the Father is the man Jesus Christ—the Savior of the world, and a Jewish rabbi. The Creator of all things did not call for a vote or take a poll on the best path to provide a way of salvation and accomplish His purposes in the earth. We are indebted to the Jewish people for our heritage of faith. Some struggle with acknowledging that the roots of Christianity lie firmly within Judaism, but it is a fact that cannot be disputed. Let’s commit ourselves to praying that God will shine His light on the path that He has set before His Church and the Jewish people.

**THINK ABOUT IT
**Do you have a regular routine of praying for the Church and the Jewish people? If not, how about starting today? Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

**PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.’ For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’” (Psalm 122:6-8, NIV®). In Jesus’ name, amen.
**Blessings,
**Pastor Allen Jackson~~
---"Shalom Jerusalem"/ Paul Wilbur ~

----NO EMPTY WORDS ~~

"So shall My word be
that goes out from My
mouth; it shall not
return to Me empty,
but it shall accomplish
that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in
the thing for which I
sent it." -(Isaiah 55:11) --

--WHEN IT comes to sharing our faith, we often feel nervous, ill-equipped, or unworthy. So when we step out of our comfort zones and invite someone to church or reach out with the Gospel to an unbelieving friend, it leaves us vulnerable. When the person responds to us with disinterest or even rejects us, we are discouraged. Perhaps we are no good at this. Perhaps we should not even try.

This would be true if we relied on our own words to help others. But we depend on God's Word, which possesses power beyond our understanding! By His Word, our God created the world. By His Word, He parted the seas to save His people. By His Word, He was made flesh in the womb of a young virgin. By His Word, He calmed the wind and waves. By the Word, in Baptism He declared us righteous, and we share in His death and resurrection.

The Lord, promises, "My word..shall not return to Me empty." His Word always accomplishes His purpose. We can speak it with joy and confidence, trusting that its effects are in His hands, not our own. ~~

--"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning
with God. All things came into being through Him, and
apart from Him nothing came into being that has been
made. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not
comprehend it." --(JOHN 1:1-5)-(JESUS IS GOD!)
--"You Are God Alone" / --Phillips, Craig and Dean ~ <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdvA1bAcXz0>
~~~~~~~~~~