One of my least favorite seasons is fall. The leaves drop and make a mess, the spring flowers die, and the lawn I’ve nurtured all year long turns from green to brown. In spite of that seasonal change, we have a hope for all seasons. Isaiah 40:8 tells us: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” I am thankful that I always have that to depend upon, how about you? God bless you!
Are There Angels Among Us?
Do you believe in angels? I know that I do! Angels are mentioned 93 times in the Old Testament and 163 times in the New Testament. Jacob wrestled with one, Isaiah saw them in a vision, John also saw them in his vision of Heaven. Some angels minister to God, others minister to us. Some are messengers (Gabriel), some are warriors (Michael); how many are there? I don’t know, but in Revelation 5:11 John said “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” I don’t know how many there are, but to quote a popular song: “Oh, I believe there are angels among us, sent down to us from somewhere up above….” How about you? God bless you and may He guard you with a host of angels!
What, and Who, is Your Center?
Do you ever think about things that are centered? When we hang a picture we make sure it is centered, when we build a wall we make sure the bubble in the level is centered, in yoga we are told to find our center, some people are “self-centered.” Alexander Maclaren said “The cross is the center of the world’s history.” But do we make Christ the center of our life? He is the Alpha, Omega, Beginning, End, First, Last and everything in the center. Matthew 6:33a tells us “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness…” If we can do that, we will be truly centered. God bless you!
We Need To Pray
I’ve been thinking a lot about the needs of others. We all have friends or family who are struggling physically, or emotionally, or spiritually, or financially. Some are facing difficult medical tests, others are fighting infections, some are fighting to stay afloat, and others are fighting to stay alive, both physically or spiritually. Paul the Apostle wrote in Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” It tells me that, at the very least, we need to be on our knees every day lifting each other up to our Lord. Will you join me? God bless you!
Are you Humble?
There is an old song that went “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble….” However, as Christians, it should be one of our character traits. If we say that we are patient, friendly and long-suffering, we need to be able to say that we are humble. In a society where there is a “me first” attitude, humble people are needed more than ever; people who work quietly in the background without seeking recognition. Ephesians 4:2-3 tells us that we should act “With all lowliness and meekness with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” I know it might be hard to be humble, but I’m going to try, how about you? God bless you!
Trials and Troubles? Surrender!
How many of us have experienced trials and troubles, been alone, or afraid, been let down, or felt despondent? I would imagine all of us have at one time or another. Fortunately there is an easy answer: surrender everything into His hands and trust Him with every issue! Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isn’t it awesome that we can lean on our God in hard times? God bless you today!
Which Conscience Do You Have?
Have you ever heard these sayings? Do you have a guilty conscience? Is your conscience bothering you? Let your conscience be your guide! But, which one? The bible says that there are four kinds of conscience. There is one mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:2 where “speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their consciences seared as with a hot iron;” 1 Corinthians 8:12 mentions a “weak conscience;” 1 Timothy 1:5 speaks of a “good conscience,” and then there is a secular conscience that allows ungodly things because it thinks they are good. I am praying we all exercise the good conscience, the one maintained by God when we are born again and is described in Hebrews 9:14 – “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself up without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? I am praying He richly blesses you today!
Excellent!
Have you ever considered the word “excellent?” The word is used to describe something that is fantastic, marvelous, great! The term has been used in movies like “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure;” it is also used in many hymns including “How Excellent Is Your Name” by John W. Higdon. Did you know that the word “excellent” is used 34 times in 15 books of the bible. My favorite is Psalm 8:1 where King David writes “O Lord Our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” I pray that our God blesses you with an “excellent” day!
How Do We Communicate?
Telephones, voice mail, email, texts, Facebook! What has happened to good old fashioned communication? When I communicate with someone I want to look them in the eye and have them do the same to me! So the question arises: How do we talk to God when we can’t see him? When we are born again we receive the Holy Spirit and our spiritual eyes are opened so that we can see and experience Him! Jesus said in John 14:17 “Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” I pray that you see the Father through the Holy Spirit. God bless you!
Which Way?
This Way, That Way, Right Way, Wrong Way; there are lots of expressions using the word “way” – Did you know that in the first century believers were called “The Way,” which is what Saul called followers of Christ as he persecuted them in Acts 9:2. There were many religious groups back then, each known for different things. There were the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots and Samaritans and then there was Jesus and the Christians. How do people know that we are Christian? What distinguishes us from others? John 13:25 tells us! “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” As we go out and interact with others, let’s show them our way, Amen? God bless you today!
