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Today is the Day the Lord Has Made

How did today come about?  You woke up, got ready to do something even if it was to take a day off and relax or work on something at home. You probably assumed when you went to bed last night that you would wake up today and had some sort of plan without regard to “this is a day that the Lord has made (and, by the way, “be glad and rejoice in it.”). Now, that is going to be hard to swallow because…….

Psalm 118:20-24: This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Think about the hymn about this particular scripture–“This is the day, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Don’t take for granted “today” as there just might not be a “tomorrow.”  

Matthew 6:34–“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

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Think Not Today What Tomorrow Will Bring…

A wonderful way to put life in perspective—I care not today what the morrow may bring, If shadow or sunshine or rain, The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything, And all of my worries are vain.

Living by faith in Jesus above, Trusting, confiding in His great love.  From all harm safe in His sheltering arm, I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

Though tempests may blow and the storm clouds arise, Obscuring the brightness of life, I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies—The Master looks on at the strife. 

I know that He safely will carry me through, No matter what evils betide; Why should I then care though the tempest may blow, If Jesus walks close to my side. 

Our Lord will return for His loved ones some day, Our troubles will then all be o’er; The Master so gently will lead us away, Beyond that blest heavenly shore–by Robert Emmett Winsett. 

Do we know what is about to happen today, tomorrow, etc.?  Even today, tomorrow, or frankly at anytime?  But, we seem to meander through our daily activities as though we do, right?  We really don’t have control of our lives at all!  We go about our daily routine usually not giving a second thought on what is just right in front of us and what might happen to us. 

In Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

We must plan our lives according as we go about our lives remembering that there is a greater plan for us in the life after we pass from this life into eternity. But, really!  How can I do that when I must catch up on work, pay the bills, get all my other responsibilities done TODAY?  I am in control of all of this stuff!!!

Remember what Jesus said:

Luke 9:23-24–Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

Luke 9:59–He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Luke 14:27–And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

John 12:26–Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

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Power of Prayer

The power of Prayer is so dynamic that we either take it for granted or we just don’t understand our God enough to completely open up our soul to Him regularly, daily, at moments of trials, or in times of joy. Why?

In times of stress and heavy burdens, we should depend upon our God through prayer and, in times of prosperity, happiness, receipt of blessings, we should abound in praise to our Father. 

We should seek God through prayer when we are really struggling BUT we should engage and ask for the prayers of others for the burdens we are carrying. He says, “is any among you in trouble, let him pray.”  And in James 5:15, the prayers being offered for the sick would seem to imply that there must be “faith” by BOTH the sick person being prayed for as well as the person that was asked to pray for this sick person. 

In seeking our God through prayer, we must also observe and give God the glory in the success of our prayers!  We should also share these blessings with our prayer partners that we ask to pray “with and for us!”  Isn’t it great to have those friends whose prayers are lifted up on our behalf to our loving Father?

Please read James 5:13-20:  “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

Also, Proverbs 15:8,28-29:  “God can’t stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers. Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people; the wicked are sewers of abuse. God keeps his distance from the wicked; he closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.”

Pray regularly, plan a standard time or at a standard place to pray. Fill your heart and mind with thanksgiving that you have this avenue at your disposal ANYTIME!

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God’s Plan For Us-Yes For All of Us!

What does God expect of me?  What role do I play in His overall plan?  Ever wonder how you fit it to this plan for eternity?  A good place to start is in Ephesians 3. Have you thought about how Grand, how miraculous, how wonderful this plan is?  Grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ is. That from the very beginning, God knew that everyone, not just “the chosen” Israelites but the rest of the creation which were the Gentiles. In Ephesians, God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles was laid out here and described by the Apostle Paul. 

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.  In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me-to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.

We all have access to Jesus, to the Church he established, to the Father through Jesus and to understand the the mysteries of Gods total plan. 

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Teach Us About Praying 

The bible tells us volumes about Jesus when we learn about the prayer life of Jesus. Jesus prayed often. He sought out his Father in times of need. He would slip off and away from the throngs of people to seek God and to talk to the Father. However, his prayers were always put at the feet of the Father with the understanding that he wanted the Father’s will to be done. 
His disciples asked him to teach them to pray as they saw how diligent he was in prayer and they wanted to be just like Jesus. In Matthew, he said, “Matthew 6:5-15, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

In James, we are taught about the power of prayer. James 5:13-16, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

How can we follow Jesus more closely? Are we learning more about Him daily? What should our time spent with Jesus be like? How do we accomplish this amidst our hectic and frantic daily life? Do you relish spending time in prayer?

How sweet is our time with God in prayer! This reminds me of the song “Sweet Hout of Prayer”

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care. And bids me at my Father’s throne. Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief. And oft escaped the tempter’s snare. By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share. Of those whose anxious spirits burn. With strong desires for thy return!

With such I hasten to the place. Where God my Savior shows His face. And gladly take my station there. And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear. To Him whose truth and faithfulness. Engage the waiting soul to bless. 

And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share. Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight. 

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise. To seize the everlasting prize. And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!

These lyrics certainly imply having faith and actions because of faith. In Mark 11:22-24, God’s word states, “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Our Savior was desirous of giving His disciples respecting the nature and power of prayer, and the necessity of strong faith in God. He therefore stated a very strong case, a miracle–one so great as the removal of a mountain into the sea. And He tells them, that if they exercise a proper faith in God, they might do such things. But His remarks are not to be limited to faith merely in regard to working miracles, for he goes on to say:

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

When you pray, you must forgive. Is that required only when a man wishes to work a miracle? There are many other promises in the Bible nearly related to this, and speaking nearly the same language, which have been all disposed of in this way, as referring to the faith employed in miracles. Just as if the faith of miracles was something different from faith in God!

Have faith that God will answer your prayers!
  

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What is Faith?

I want you to think about faith as someone that trusts in and demonstrates that trust in God. Faith is walking through one’s fears and worries. It’s having that peace inside your soul knowing that God is on your side when you wrestle and fight against the many distractions that satan throws your way?

However, when it comes down to it, as we try to make it through the day, the arrows that get shot our way, how can we completely be at peace, knowing that God is there loving me  and caring for me, providing for me, and that I have nothing to fear?

Please read the mighty chapter of faith:

Hebrews 11:1-4o: [1] Faith in Action 11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. [2] This is what the ancients were commended for. [3] By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. [4] By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. [5] By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. [6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. [7] By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. [8] By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. [9] By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. [10] For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. [11] And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. [12] And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. [13] All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. [14] People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. [15] If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. [16] Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. [17] By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, [18] even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” [19] Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. [20] By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. [21] By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. [22] By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. [23] By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. [24] By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. [25] He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. [26] He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. [27] By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. [28] By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. [29] By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. [30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. [31] By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. [32] And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, [33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. [35] Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. [36] Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. [37] They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— [38] the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. [39] These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, [40] 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8)

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Do You Have Peace Within You?

How do you think about your daily walk and the struggles that you encounter along the path of life?  How do you deal with these conflicts, sorrows, and this “topsy and turvey” life we live which seems to be constantly in our lives?
The song, “Peace in the Valley ” was written in 1937 by Thomas A. Dorsey, originally for Mahalia Jackson and has some very good thoughts on how to think “through to the end” of life’s struggles and what’s in store for us in the life beyond. 

“Oh well, I’m tired and so weary. But I must go alone. Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes. Well the morning’s so bright. And the lamp is alight. And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes. 

There will be peace in the valley for me, some day. There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray. There’ll be no sadness, no sorrow. No trouble, trouble I see. There will be peace in the valley for me, for me

Well the bear will be gentle. And the wolves will be tame. And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes. And the beasts from the wild. Shall be lit by a child. And I’ll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes. 

There will be peace in the valley for me, some day. There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray.

Psalm 23:1-6–A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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Lord, Teach Us To Pray 

Luke 11:1-13: One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” [2] He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. [3] Give us each day our daily bread. [4] Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ‘ ” [5] Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; [6] a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ [7] And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ [8] I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. [9] “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [11] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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Stay Close to Jesus

We live adventurous lives. We have our bucket list. We want to go to the limits of trying the various pursuits that come out way. In doing so, we sometimes get to the very edges of the frayed fabrics of our faith and the temptations of satan.  Think about the lyrics of this old spiritual hymn. 

Drifting Too Far From the ShoreBy Charles W. Moody. 

Out on the perilous deep, Where dangers silently creep, And storms so violently sweep, You are drifting too far from the shore. 

Drifting too far from the shore, You are drifting too far from the shore (peaceful shore), Come to Jesus today, let him show you the way, You are drifting too far from the shore.

Today the tempest rolls high, And the clouds overshadow the sky, Sure death is hovering nigh, You are drifting too far from the shore.

Why meet a terrible fate, Mercies abundantly wait, Turn back before it’s too late, You are drifting too far from the shore.

Drifting too far from the shore, You are drifting too far from the shore (peaceful shore), Come to Jesus today, let him show you the way, You are drifting too far from the shore.

The Word teaches us that we need Jesus. We need fellowship with others of faith. 

In 1 John 1:5-7: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Stay close to the Savior!

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Island Time-Where Are We Going So Fast?

How is your schedule today?  Are you off to a meeting or rushing to the grocery store while speed reading your emails and listening to voice mails?

We live in a world that is “speed up to slow down and hurry up and wait.” I just rushed to the airport to then wait for my flight that boarded on time (I did have plenty time to spare given that I rushed to the airport, and then we “waited for 2 hours on the tarmac.  Ever thing about what you are preparing for?  In this hurry up to slow down world with the technology to never be away from anything, what is our real purpose?  Are we that busy that we can’t really slow down to ponder what we are really put on this earth for?

I recently vacationed on an island in the carribeean with my wife and some family members where you kind of had to slow down.  At first, this was hard.  Having to go with the flow and the time scheduled of the locals, etc.  Why are we moving so slow?  Why does it take so long for dinner to be served at the local restaurant?  Well, we are on Island Time.  

Have you encountered this phenomenon of rush, rush, rush to then feel like “what did I do that for?”  We live in a society where we are in a frantic mode much of our waking hours. We have places to go, people to see, things to do–ALL THE TIME!  From a biblical perspective, Jesus was “about his Father’s Buisiness all the time.  However, he found time to get away from the hustle and bustle of His Plan and to go by the sea or up into the mountains to pray and be with his Father.  We need this special quite time away from everything to listen to the quiet and to ponder what we are all about and what our real purpose is.  Pray for your family.  Pray for God to work in your life.  Pray for God to put His plan at your footsteps and lead you in the direction that He wants you to go.