Fri, Nov 30th - 12:02AM

KNOWING GOD AS OUR FATHER

LUKE 11:2-4

God has many names that reveal various facets of His Character, such as Creator, King, and Shepherd.  But there's  a name that meets one of our greatest human needs in a special way:  Father.  Each of us was born with a deep desire to be loved unconditinally...so many of our hurts and scars come from this desire never being fully met.  What security and wholeness there is in knowing tht we can call God "my Father"!  Scriptures tells us He is " a father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5) and that He will never leave us, even if our earthly parents abandon us.  (Psalm 27:10)

When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray, He used the term Abba("Father"in Aramaic) for God.  That was a abrand-new concept at the time;  God was referred to as a Father to Israel, but the word was used sparingly in the Old Testament.  Even God's personal name, Yahweh, was considered too holy to be pronounced out loud.  Few people thought of having a personal, individual connection to almighty God.

Althought the Lord has shown Himself to be a loving Father throughout all of history, it is only through Christ that we've inherited the privilege to call the Him our Father.  (Galatians 4:4-7)    The New Testament gives witness to Christ's revelation of this  wonderful relationship we can have with our heavenly Father.  Paul opens each of his letters acknowledging God as our Father.  Knowing God as our perfect parent continues to be a radical truth that Jesus has taught us.

HI EVERYONE, I'M BACK....VISITED MY FAMILY IN KENTUCKY....FOR THANKSGIVING....HAD A GREAT TIME AND A SAFE TRIP......ENJOYED BEING WITH MY LOVING FAMILY....THANKS TO OUR GOOD LORD.....HE ALWAYS MAKES A WAY, WHEN THERE SEEMS TO BE NO WAY.........GOOD TO BE BACK.......HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT THANKSGIVING........MANY BLESSINGS!  LOIS

Mon, Nov 19th - 10:16PM

GOD IS UNCHANGING

HEBREWS 1:10-12 -- And, Thou, Lord In The Beginning Hast Laid The Foundation Of the Earth:  And The Heavens Are The Works of Thine Hands.  They Shall Perish, But Thou Remainest:  And They All Shall Wax Old as Doth A Garment;  And As A Vesture  Shalt Thou Fold Them Up, And They Shall, Be changed:  But Thou Art The Same, And Thy Years Shall Not Fail.

The foundation of our faith is the truth that God is unchanging.  He has the same character and principles He had when the prophet Malachi wrote the words, "For I, the Lord, do not change" (Malachi 3:6).  In fact, since before He spoke the world into being.  God has been exactly as He is to day.  This understanding is essential  for believers who desire to live the successful Christian life.

If we believed that God, like man, was in a state of change, much of our faith would be pointless.  Why pray to someone who may or may not still be answering?  If that were the case, then we would wonder:  Serving the Lord migh yield fruit, but it might not. We can get into heaven  as long we never make God angry, but does He still get upset over the things that bothered Him in the Old Testament, or does He now have new sources of irritation?

What an exhausting life believers would lead trying to keep a fickle god happy!  Sadly, many people do become tired trying to be perfect Christians.  Rather then getting theologically grounded in God's Word, they are living as they think the Lord desires or following the lead of other people of faith.  One difficult experience can knock the unprepared believer off his feet.

In order for the Lord to lay a solid faith foundation in our lives, we must study the One whom we serve.  Through the Scriptures and our experiences, we learn how God responds to different circumstances, we recognize His methods and purposes for discipline, and we witness his rewarding of righteousness.  More than that, we inevitably realize that He is always the same loving Father.

GOD BLESS EACH ONE WITH A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Sun, Nov 18th - 10:11PM

WE MUST WAIT ON GOD

PSALM 37:3-8 -- Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  And  he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.  Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.  fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:  fret not thy self in any wise to do evil.

Godly waiting requires action.  Does that surprise you?  God asks us to do our best work right where we are (1Corinthians 15:58 -- Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord)  and get along with others until He moves us elsewhere. (Romans 12:18 -- If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men) As we wait, we are to exhibit righteous character, which is...Patient.. When God doesn't answer quickly, we may get frustrated and try to manipulate our desire outcome.  With the Spirits's help, we can be patient.(1Timothy 6:6 -- But godliness with contentment is great gain) 

Trusting...Trust means believing that the Lord is in control, has our best interests in mind, and will arrange things for our good and His glory.

Quiet...Confidence in God brings believers a calmness of spirit.  Fretting about difficult circumstances and people is to be replaced by a continual seeking of the Lord's presence.

Steadfast...We are to stand firm with our focus on Jesus and continue to do the work we have been given to carry out.

Discerning...When solutions come to mind, we need to distinguish the source:  Are they our own ideas, the world's suggestions, or the Lord's direction?  With wisdom from God, we will discern where He is at work, what our part is in it, and which action we're to take.

Courageous...Courage is not the absence of fear but a calmness and stability in the midst of it.  Although we do not see God, we believe He is at work.  A resolute spirit is required if we are to wait on God.

Delays present us with opportunities to show the world what Jesus' transforming power has accomplished in us.  When God says, "Hold still," we need to be steadfast until He moves us elsewhere.

Sat, Nov 17th - 10:05PM

GOD'S GRAND PLAN

JEREMIAH 29:11 -- For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The Lord has a grand plan for the life of every person, and it can be summed up in a single word: sanctification.  If you are scratching your head about the gist of that term, you are not alone.  Many people do not know its definition.  However, believers need to have that knowlege because the word defines them.

In its verb form...sanctify...the term means "to make holy" or "to separate."  So when something is sanctified, it is separated from a common use to a sacred one.  In the Old Testament, we are told that the Lord sanctified a number of things:  He made the seventh day holy, set aside the Levite tribe as priests, and even consecrated places like the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle.  (Genesis 2:3 --And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it:  because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made..(Numbers 3).

The Lord still sanctifies people today.  Before a person receives salvation, he is spiritually dead and an enemy of God.  (Ephesians 2:1-3 -- And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom also we all had our conversation in time past in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  (Romans 5:10 -- For if, when we were enemines, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconcile, we shall be saved by his  life.)  But the moment someone trusts Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, his sins are wiped away, and he is adopted into the Lord's family.  That individual is set apart as a child of God for a sacred purpose.  This means believes are not here to chase after personal gain but to serve God and bing Him honor and glory.

As members of God's family who are called upon to reflect his glory, believers are called saints.  The word saint shares its root with sanctification.  we are given the moniker, not because we live sinless lives, but because we live a life consistent with the One we represent.

Fri, Nov 16th - 11:00PM

JESUS IS OUR PEACE

JOHN 14:27 -- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Some people read these words of Jesus and scoff, "Well, that was fine back then, but there is just no way to live free of anxiety today."

To those who would raise this objection, let me ask: Is Jesus surprised by your troubles?  Do you believe that your difficulties are beyond Jesus' understanding, or that He could not have imagined the stresses in your life?

The view that any these are possible would certainly limit Jesus' sovereignty and infinite knowledge.  You must remember that Jesus is not in some far..off place called heaven, simply looking down on us and doing His best to understand our lives.  Instead, He stepped down from heaven and walked these streets with us.

He knows the troubles of this life because He faced them Himself; in fact, He faced more trouble than we could possibly imagine. Hebrews 2:17-18 -- Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the poeple.  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

Why, then, do we often fail to heed His call of peace, rest, and comfort?  Matthew 11:28-30 -- Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto our souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  It is almost as though anxiety has become a close companion to many people, and the thought of surrendering it brings on even more stress.

However, if you want to become the growing, mature, joyous believer the Lord has called you to be, then you must lay down your burdens.  Anxiety, quite simply, is the enemy of the peace of God.  As long as we hold on to our problems, we cannot pick up the armfuls of peace that Christ so freely offers.

Thu, Nov 15th - 8:38PM

HOW GOD GETS OUR ATTENTION

ACTS 9:1-9

 Store owners have become extremely creative in the methods they use to grab our attention.  The store itself can have signs in bright colors or neon lights, awnings imprinted with the store name, or a flag our front declaring it is open.  Mailing to our homes may come with a gimmick like a magnet bearing a store name or telephone number. Whatever the method, its purpose is the same..to catch our attention.

God, too, wants our attention.  He has much to say to us and wants us to adjust our schedules so we can fellowship with Him.  We get preoccupied with what is happening around us, and before we know it, days have passed and we have neglected to spend much time with him.

What does it take for the Lord to get our attention?  Will a restless spirit cause us to seek godly counsel?  Do we listen when God sends someone to point out His way?  When blessings come, do we turn to God and ask how He would like us to use them?  Is it God we seek when our prayers go unanswered.  How long does it take us to get past our emotions over disappointments, difficulties, and failures to listen to what our heavenly Father has to say?  In times of great financial crisis, tragedy, and sickness, do our eyes and minds lift heavenward to seek God's love and wisdom?

Don't allow yourself to miss what the Lord wants to tell you.  Begin now to train yourself to give Him your full attention.  Allow what happens in your day to draw you to Him.   He is waiting for you.

Wed, Nov 14th - 11:42PM

THE BASICS OF FAITH

2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-9 -- Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Most people live according to sight, feeling, and reasoning.  In other words, life choices are based on preferences, obvious circumstances, and what one's limited knowledge determines is best.  A decision made in this way can seem completely rational but be far outside the Lord's will.

Our eyes, emotins and intuition  can deceive us; however, God never will.  As we live by faith, the center of our existence shifts from selfish ambition to Jesus Christ.  We seek His way before making plans and depend on His provision for our needs. Proverbs 3:5-6 --Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We build godly faith by prayer, reading, studying  God's Word and Spiritual sermons, but we know that  faith has to be experienced.  Those who walk with the Lord do not await His commands in the comfort of their easy chair.  All throughout Scripture, we see individuals act after placing trust in God.    

Deborah and Gideon each led their nation to war ( Judges 4:7 -- And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon, Sisera, the caption of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand).......The apostle Paul went to the mission field. Acts 9:20 -- And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God........These people were putting their belief to work, strengthening their trust daily.

We can stumble through our days with only our limited sight to guide us, or we can slip a hand confidently into our Lord's grasp and walk confidently.  The choice is left to each believer.  Give God just one area of your life, and you'll experience His trustworthiness.  Give Him everything, and you will walk triumphantly every day.

Tue, Nov 13th - 9:36PM

FULLY: FOLLOWING JESUS

What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ?  The twelve disciples who followed Him during His ministry on earth left their homes and jobs and sold all that they had.  Their love for Christ surpassed their attachment to the things of ths world.  to follow Jesus completely, we, like the disciples, must place Him above every other priority.

Too many Christians are content to settle for a minimal belief in Jesus..they have trusted Him for salvation from their sins and know they are going to heaven.  Many times, they go no further.  As a result, these believers miss out on the amazing joy of being a disciple of Christ.

The truth is that we all have a specific call upon our life.  God has a purpose for each of us.  He engineers a special plan for us and a unique path for us in our vocation and personal life.  We have a responsibility to answer that call by obediently following Him, no matter the consquences.

He may not call you to the mission field or ask you to sell your posessions..His plan for us is unique...but you can be certain of one thing:  He commands all of His followers to share the Gospel message with others.

The concept of sharing what we have learned about God dates back into Old Testament history.  We can see the practice in Job's conversation with his three friends.  And certainly Moses explaining the law of the Lord to the Israelites was his way of discipling them.

We can look closely at the rich history of discipleship in its varied forms and how it has evolved to our present day.  For example:  Paul discipled Christians by traveling on foot from one synagogue to another, but today, television and computer equipment have literally revolutionized the pulpit.  In this era of unprecedented technological advances, the church building and the classroom extend far beyond physical borders.

Our medium has changed dramatically, but our messge remains the same.  And the charge from Matthew 28:19 ... to "go and make disciples of all the nations"...is as relevant to us today as it was to the first disciples.

Mon, Nov 12th - 9:12PM

LIVING TRIUMPHANTLY

MATTHEW 4:18-20

The man who stepped forward to preach at Pentecost was flawed and impetuous.  He had disagreed with Jesus and even denied knowing Him.  but Peter developed into a man whose impact for the Kingdom surpassed his impulsiveness.

When studying Peter's life, believers often focus on his negative actions...the doubt that nearly drowned him when he walked on water, and his aforementioned rebuke and denial of Jesus.  But Peter is also an example of triumphant living.  An uneducated fisherman who likely had few other skills, Peter put down his nets and followed Jesus the instant he was asked.  He was the first to acknowledge Christ as the Son of God. (Matthew 16:16) And after the Lord's resurrection, Peter's spontaneous nature led him to leap into the water and swim for shore when he noticed his Savior waiting there. (John 21:7)  The disciple's devotion cannot be questioned.

Peter is an inspiration for us today.  God does not choose servants who are solid rock with no cracks or crevices.  Instead, He selects people who have weaknesses, failures, and a need to be forgiven repeatedly.  The Lord looks for believers who are teachable, willing to repent, and prepared to surrender to God's greater will...folks who are a lot like Peter.

Too many Chrisitians have already decided how much the Lord can do with them, based on education, personality, or talent.   But God isn't interested in qualifications.  He seeks willing followers who echo Isaiah's call, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)  That's triumpant living.

Sun, Nov 11th - 9:30PM

HEBREWS 2:1-4   (So Great Salvation)

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.  For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience receivd a just recompense of reward;   How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be sopken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;  God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts fo the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.

What was the greatest moment of your life?  For some poeple, the answer might be their wedding day, the birth of a child, or an important promotion.  But for believers the best experience is salvation, when their eternal destiny was changed.

New Christians often have a fervor to share their faith. In time, however, many find their hearts cooling as they focus less on their relationship with Jesus Christ.  Hebrews 2:1 tell us to "pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it."

Salvation is God's amazing solution to man's sinful condition:  it is His gift of rescue...through the death of Jesus..from the penalty for our transgressions.  Before Christ entered our life, we were all sinners existing, as Pausl says, "in the lust of our flesh" (Ephesians 2:3 -- Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.)  No matter how good our behavior may have seemed, we were spiritually dead and separated from God.  Receiving Christ's forgiveness breathed life back into our spirits so that we could go before the Father's throne.  We must not forget what Jesus did for us.

We have the balm to soothe the hurting hearts we come in contact with every day.  But if excuses crowd our minds before passion fills our hearts, people will never hear.  Thankfully, we can redisover the passion of our early Christian days.  Take time today to praise God for His salvation, which delivered you from a path toward disaster.  Then commit to carrying out your part in the Great Commission by talking about Jesus with someone in our life.

MATTHEW 28:19-20 --  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.

Sat, Nov 10th - 11:44PM

A HEART OF TRUE PRAISE

JOHN 12:1-8 -- ( Mary annoints Jesus )

We could conclude from the last few chapters of Psalms that all praise is noisy and boisterous.  but worship can be expressed with quiet demonstration too.  Few poeple think of today's passage as a description of praise, but the depth of Mary's love for the Savior required an expression beyond mere words.

Desiring to give Jesus something of value, Mary broke a bottle of perfume worth a year's wages( it was costly because the herb used to make the fragance had to be transported through mountain passes from where it grew, around present day India and Tibet ).  By breaking it, she held nothing in reserve and allowed the excess to fall onto the ground.  The expense, the surprised stares of onlookers, and Judas' snide remark meant nothing to her compared with the value of having a Savior.

The whole house filled with the scent of Mary's adoration.  True praise permeates the atmosphere around us as well..we can sense when others are woshipping god because our own soul is uplifted.  Spending time with people who are surrendered to the Lord... who are prasising Him through actions and service...gives us a portion of their joy.  Worshipping Him ourselves provides us with a full measure.

Believers express praise in numemrous creative ways....singing, painting, taking a nature walk, or cleaning an elderly friend's home.  When we want to convey our devotion beyond mere words, we are not limited with regard to manner of expresssion .  The Father is pleased to accept genuine praise of all kinds.

Fri, Nov 9th - 12:37PM

   VETERANS' DAY

The Veterans came from far and near
Their friends and colleagues voices to hear.
They bowed their heads as prayers were said
To honor their comrades, living and dead.

The sorrowful “Taps” on the bugle was played
As heads bowed down and silently prayed.
They thought of better days long since gone by
When all were healthy, young and spry.

They went into battle absent all fear
And reasons for doing so were very clear.
It was love of family and country, too
And pride in serving the red, white and blue.

More than 70 years had passed for many there
Who stood tall at attention in crisp November air.
But even younger Veterans who were by their side
Remembered service to our country with deep inner pride.

"Ask not what your country can do for you,” one President declared.
An unselfish and patriotic view that most all Veterans have shared.
They asked for no special favors when they answered the call.
And millions got no special favors when they gave their all.

A young boy asks his young father, “What’s a Vet, Dad?”
And in trying to answer, the young father looks sad.
“Some people say it’s someone who treats animals, Son,
But it’s really someone who won’t quit till our battles are won.”

"And we’ve had many like that in this land of the free
Who thought not of their own peril, but only of you and me.”
Then as shadows lengthen and skies turn gray,
Once more we salute our warriors on Veterans' Day.

By: Jerry McConnell

Thu, Nov 8th - 9:00PM

HOW TO BEAR ANOTHER'S BURDEN

GALATIANS 6:2-5 -- Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he decieveth himself.  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  For every man shall bear his own burden..kjv

Our quiet presence during someone else's time of pain says much more than any words of advice.  A grieving widow, for example, doesen't need to hear our own tale of loss;  she needs an arm around her shoulder so she realizes she is not alone.

Think about the times we bring our burdens to the Lord in prayer.  Simply experiencing His presence lift the weight off our own shoulders.  God's reponse to our pain is a clear demonstration of how important it is to make ourselves available and listen to our neighbors.  No matter how inadequate we might feel, we all can share a burden by spending time with a friend who is enduring hardship.

The Holy Spirit will show us the right moment to speak, if words are necessary.  That is our opportunity to share how God worked in our life during a painful period.  When we give the Holy Spirit total control, He etches feelings deeply into our emotional system so we can genuinely minister to others.  Hurting people grab onto kindred stories as if to a lifeline..it give them hope to reason that since God shephered one person through a valley of darkness, He will surely be faithful to shepherd another.

Our Spirit-developed compassion may require us to give our burdened neighbor other types of help...even material aid.

It's easy to pray for a friend or share our story with a church member, but we cannot limit ourselves to those things.  If we are wiling to be use by the Father, we must be open to His leading about how to offer assistance.

Wed, Nov 7th - 10:33PM

THE MOMENT THAT SUSTAIN US

JOSHUA 1:8 --- This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. kjv

Meditation is a vital part of a healthy, growing relationship with God.  It is, however, left out of many believers' lives.  Therefore, we must examine a basic, key question:  How do we meditate?

FIRST, we must devote ourselves to the reading of God's Word.  If we want to hear His message, then we must dig deep into Scripture.  This is no mere book; rather, it is the very word of the Lord to His people.  We have Scripture in order to know God better.  As faithful stewards of that gift, we must make it an integral part of our lives.

SECOND, we must learn to pray God's Word back to the Lord.  That is, when we read a Bible passage, no matter what the subject matter is, we should lift that Word back up to heaven, showing our heavenly Father we are in agreement with what He has said.  This how we affirm the message of Scripture.

THIRD, we must apply the Word.  The Bible is not here for simple information; instead, it was given for obedience.  If we do not allow the Word of God to change our life, then are we really placing much value on it?

FOURTH, we must submit to God's will.  As we spend time actively listening to the Lord, He will share His plans for us.  As we apply what we have heard, meditation will become more and more instinctive for us.  Then, we will find that we hear His voice every moment.

God has a special message for you.  Take the time necessary to hear what your heavenly Father is saying.

Tue, Nov 6th - 9:44PM

WHY WE NEED SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

PHILLIPPIANS 1:8-11 -- For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ;  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.  kjv

Things are not always what they seem is the mantra of mystery novels, but it's also a wise attitude for successful living.  Too many people make decisions according to feelings or judge situations based only on what appears to be real.  The Lord has given every believer a discerning spirit, so we can determine what is best.

Think about how many decisions a single person must make in a day...choices about family, finances, work etc.  In a ideal world, a decision would have a correct choice and an incorrect one, As a result, it would be easy to make.  In reality, however, what seems right is not always what's best.  Some things that are neither wrong nor sinful are nonetheless outside of God's will.

Scripture doesn't contain specific directives regarding every possible life scenario.  Instead, it is filled with principles, laid down at times through stories and often through direct teaching.  Believers have the capacity to grow in spiritual maturity so that biblical principles coupled with guidance from the Holy Spirit become tools for making godly judgments.  The quetion is not whether a certain choice looks good or feels right, but whether or not it is God's will for that point in a person's life.

A well-developed spirit of discernment is essential for living in God's will.  Without this sensitivity to the Lord's plan, a man or woman will  take everything at face value.  Many choices that look good and feel right are actually contrary to what God desires for a believer's life.  For that reason, we must evaluate situations from a biblical perspective.

Mon, Nov 5th - 11:38AM

THE CIRCLE OF OUR IMPACT

MATTHEW 5:14-16 --  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick:  and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. kjv

One of today's great tragedies is that so many people live chaotic lives with no real purpose.  We would expect this from pagans, but Christians should know that God has a very specific purpose for each person.  When we consider what He has invested in us, it is no wonder that He wants to see us bear fruit in other people's lives.  We can powerfully impact those around us, just as tossing a stone causes concentric swells in water.  In Matthew 5:13 - Jesus describes believers as salt (in my last post)  So Jesus describes believers as salt and light. As the light of the world, He says that we are to be reflectors of His light in a sin-darkened culture.  Like the moon reflecting the light of the sun, we are to let the light of the indwelling Christ shine out through our conduct, our conversation, and our character.  In so doing, we must put away sin because it diminishes our light, as does soot on the globe of a lantern.

Our influence on others should be purposeful rather than haphazard.  We ought to ask ourselves which people we are impacting.  Are we in fact making a difference in anyone's life?  We can get out of the rippling business and instead make powerful waves for God that affect wide circles of individuals.  Consider the impact of prayer, for example.  There is no end to its possibilities.  your influence can extend to the very ends of the earth when you are on your knees.  Don't ever underestimate the scope and circle of your infulence when you are obedient to the Lord.  By following Him, you are the light of the world.

Sun, Nov 4th - 11:28AM

MAKING A LAST IMPACT

MATTHEW 5:13 -- Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor (flavor), wherewith (by what) shall it be salted?  It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

All of us would like to be remembered as people who left a lasting imprint for good on the lives of others.   The problem is that we tend to be so self-centered that we often fail to deeply impact even our closest neighbors.  How well we succeed in affecting others is usually determined by our character.  And ultimately, it is our spiritual impact that our heavenly Father is concerned about.

To illustrate how effective we should be in influencing others, Jesus used salt as an example of something that greatly alters anything it touches. (Matthew 5:13)  He taught that salt must maintain its purity and integrity in order to have a lasting impact.  In a similar way, we must maintain our purity by walking in  newness of life and by not loving the things of this world. ( 1John 2:15 -- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him ) Then, when people witness our transformed lives, they will be powerfully influenced.

Salt flavors and preserves food.  When we sprinkle it on something that is flavorless or bland, the food becomes much more enjoyable.  We are to flavor the lives of people all around us by pointing them to Jesus.  If we are just like them, we are not going to change them.  Salt doesn't change salt.  It flavors only that which is insipid or void of any real taste.

Never forget that you do have an influence on others...either for good or for bad.  Salt makes a positive difference on whatever comes in contact with it.  Let us flavor the lives of people around us so that they will be preserved from the rot and decay of evil.

Sat, Nov 3rd - 9:16PM

THE PRESENCE OF GOD

PSALM 95: 2 -- Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

When we are weary in well-doing and feel emotionally drained, How relaxing and rejuvenating it is to step into the presence of God.  His Holy Spirit, the Comforter, calms our fears and worries.  Our frustrations melt with a reminder of His providence and love.

Time alone with the Lord is one of life's most wonderful blessings.  We're able to refocus our priorities and seek  His will with a renewed fervor.  God's Word teaches us of His kindness and mercy, and we glimplse His unimaginable glory in its pages.

The Christians must take time to seek solitude in order to pray to God, search out the Scriptures for His guidance, and meditate on His teachings.  Daily intimate moments with the Lord keep the believer in right relationship with Him and allow the Father to lead His children into a life that ultimately glorifies Christ.

As you start the new day, find time to sit down one on one with God, and ask Him to show you new truths in His Word and insight into the struggles of your life.

Fri, Nov 2nd - 10:03PM

WISDOM'S ROADMAP

JAMES 1:5 -- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

The one thing in life tht many people seek but so few seem to find is wisdom.  Believers listen to sermons, go to workshops, and attend seminars, but somehow the elusive pearl of wisdom still seems to slip through their fingers.  What must you do to acquire this gift that Scripture refers to as more precious than silver of god?

Many Chrisitians faithfully read God's Word but too often stop short and fail to act upon His teachings.

Unless you obey and apply His principles, you will never experience the wonderful blessings that the Father has planned for your life.  that is why many followers of Christ struggle with broken relatinships, financial problems and various addictions.

Ultimately, you must make a choice to either follow your limite knowledge or draw upon the unlimited riches of biblical truth.  When you fail to choose correctly, confess your sin and return quickly to the path of obedience.

Remember that God love you and desires only what is best for you.  Continue to write His truths on the table of your heart, and obey His commands.  Just like a reliable road map, they will alwlays point you in the right direction.

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Thu, Nov 1st - 8:43PM

SAYING YES TO GOD

LUKE 5:1-11

God's simple requests are often stepingstones to life's greatest blessings.  Simon Peter said yes to Jesus Christ's two small requests, and his whole mission changed from fisherman to fishers of men.  Although weary from a catchless night, Peter willingly brought Jesus on board and pushed his boat into the water so that the teacher's words would carry to the crowd.  When the Lord finished speaking, he told the experieinced fisherman to head out to deeper water.  Peter knew that the timing for a good catch was wrong, but he obeyed and was blessed with not one, but tow boatloads of fish.

Often God's blessings result from our compliance with seemigly insighnificant request.  Though we prefer that He ask us to perform great tasks which will impact large crowds, obedience in small maters is our proving ground.  If we refuse His prompting to perform some minor action, what reason have we given Him to trust us with a more important responsibility?

Had Peter refused to ferry Jesus on his boat or to risk a midday fishing expedition, he'd have missed the immediate blessing of a big catch and perhaps also the even greater opportunity to be Jesus' disciple.

Walking with the Lod every day for three years, Peter witnessed miracles more spectacular than anything he saw the first day:  a blind man received sight, Lazarus was restored to life, and at Jesus' urging, Peter himself walked on water.  The disciple's courageous step off the boat and onto a raging, stormy sea was the result of saying yes every time God made a small request.