"He's Always Been Faithful"

"They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:23

This morning, I just want to remind you that the Lord has been faithful to you in the past.  He has never failed you.  He has always been there.  He has always come through.  He has always done what He said He would do.  He has always equipped you to do whatever He called you to do.  He has been faithful!!

So why would you think He has changed now?  Why would you think He would stop being Who He is?  He is faithful.  Why would you think that He is any less or would do any less?  Bring those thoughts captive.  Don't entertain them.  Don't give them any place.  Don't dwell on them.  Don't let those thoughts assassinate God's character.  He has never let you down.  He has been there.  He is not about to start or change now.

Have a great day.  God has always been faithful.  He is not going to change now.

"Use Today Wisely"

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

"This is the day".  This is the only day we have-- today.  We aren't promised tomorrow, or the next day, or the next.  But we live our life like it will go on forever.  We make plans for the future or some future event without having the promise that we will see that time, but all the while acting as if we will.  There is nothing wrong with making plans for the future.  The Bible tells us to occupy until the Lord returns.  The Bible also admonishes us to follow the example of the ant who prepares for winter during the summer. 

The point is this-- since we aren't promised tomorrow and we don't know if our tomorrow will come, even though we are preparing for it, what are you doing with today? 

How will you spend today?  What will you do with today?  Will you waste it?  Will you use it on something noteworthy?  Will you use it on something temporal or eternal?  Will you use it to make sure it is well with your soul and you are right with God, or will you neglect your eternity today?  Will you use it to do as you please or as God desires?  Will you use it to try and touch lives for God's Kingdom?  Will you use it to minister to those who are hurting and in need, or spend it on getting the things you want?  Will you use it to mend broken relationships or discard some?  Will you use it to nurse your own wounds or nurse the wounds of a friend?  Will you use it to praise and honor God for what you have or use it to complain and grumble about what you don't have?  Today is a precious gift.  What we do with the gift of today is up to us.  Use it wisely because it only comes once.

Have a great day.  This is the day that you have been given, what will you do with it?  How will you use it?

"The Lord's Returning"

I came across this word that the Lord had given me a while back and felt that it needed to be reshared.....

(As I was praying for a word from the Lord to share with you this morning in the devotional, the words below began to come to me.  I believe that He wanted to encourage us this morning by reminding us to stay faithful because He is coming again.)

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  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.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3)

I will come again, and my return is soon. I am coming for those who are looking for my appearing.  I am coming for those who are not sleeping as others are but are watching and praying.  I am coming for those who are prepared by having their hearts cleansed by My sacrificial blood-- the blood shed for you at the cross.  I am coming back for a those who have adorned themselves and kept themselves unspotted by the world.  Be not like the five foolish virgins, be like the wise and keep your lamps full and your wicks trimmed.  For in an hour that you think not, I will come.  When the world says, Peace, peace, then will come sudden destruction.  But look up, your redemption is drawing near. 

I am coming again, and my reward is in my hand to give to those who have remained faithful and true.  To those who have not succumb to this world's system and to those whose garments are white and unsoiled by the deceit of riches, the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life.  I am coming for those who have loved not their lives unto death.  I am coming for those who are not ashamed of my name and who have separated themselves from this present evil age. 

Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you might prove what is My good and acceptable and prefect will.  In doing this you will not be deceived and allow your crown to be stolen from you.  Keep looking up, I am coming again.  I said I would, and I will.  The time of my return is at hand.  I will come and take you with me and give to you a home in the place I have prepared for you in my Father's house.  Only, guard your hearts, don't let them be overcharged by the cares of this life.  Don't let them be turned away from Me.  Keep your heart and mind fixed and stayed on Me, regardless of what you see or hear.  Things will change, evil men will get worse and worse, but I am with you and will never leave you nor forsake you, I will be with you. 

Hold fast to that which you have and let no man take your crown.  I am coming again, in an hour when you think not, so keep watching, praying, and looking up.  Keep doing what I have told you to do-- occupy until I come.  By doing so I will find you faithful.  When I return, I will take you with Me and so shall you ever be with your Lord enjoying those things which are beyond your wildest imagination.  It is real.  My words are real, they are true.  Keep watching, for lo, I come.

(May the Lord bless this word to your heart.  May you give heed and not ignore it.)  Love and blessings in Christ

"No Excuse Will Work"

"Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."  1 Thessalonians 5:24

When God calls us to do a task, has an assignment for us, gives us a command or places a call on our lives, usually the first thing we do is start giving Him excuses as to why we can't do it.  When He came to Moses and called him to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage, the first thing Moses did was start making excuses-- "I can't do it.  I stutter".

Our weaknesses become our excuses-- I am not educated enough; I am too shy; I am not popular; I am not talented and so on.  Our excuses are usually true reasons-- we do have shortcomings and inabilities.  But don't you think God already knows that?  Don't you think He already knew Moses couldn't speak well when He called him?  Sure, He did.  He already knows you can't do it when He calls you to do it, but He calls you anyway because He uses "weak and foolish things".

When He called Moses, Moses wasn't able to do what He called him to do, but God could do it.  When God calls us, we act like it is going to be us who does it.  We act like it is all going to depend on us.  We act like it is our abilities that will make it happen.  That is not true.  It is not us that does it-- it is not by our might or power but by His Spirit; it is the Spirit of your Father that speaks for you; it is the Father that does the work.  We are only vessels that He does it through.

The truth of the matter is that when God calls us to do something, we can't do it.  God knows that.  But He can do it.  And He will do it.  All He ask from us is to trust Him and obey.  Then He will do the rest.  He will do whatever needs to be done.  All Moses was was a vessel.  He didn't part the Red Sea.  He didn't turn the waters to blood.  He didn't bring the plagues on Egypt.  He didn't give manna in the wilderness or water from a rock.  God did it all.  All Moses did was yield to Him, trust Him, and obey what He told him to do.  We start making excuses because we think that we are the ones who have to "make it happen".  We don't.  We can't!  But if God calls you to do it, He can and will do it through you.

Have a great day.  God knows you can't do what He calls you to do.  But He can do it, and He will do it.  You only have to trust Him and obey what He tells you.       

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 1:26-28
Exodus 4:10
Acts 3:12,13
Zechariah 4:6

"The Instruction Manual"

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."  2 Timothy 3:16,17

Have you ever made a purchase of some item that required assembly?  Are you one of those people who try to put it together without using the instruction manual that came with it?  A lot of people are like that.  At the end of the project they wind up having to redo it because they left out a part.  Or they had parts left over.  Many people are trying to go through life without using an "instruction manual". 

Life is difficult, period.  We don't know how to have proper relationships, how to make the right choices, how to avoid pitfalls, how to make it through the bumps in the road of life, or how to handle problems that arise.  Someone once said about parenting, "It's a shame babies don't come with instruction manuals".  The same could be said of life in general.  The fact of the matter is-- life does come with an instruction manual.  It is called the Bible. 

The Bible has the answers to every question, every difficulty, how to relate to people, how to have abundant life, what to do when life seems overwhelming, how to make the best choice, how to find peace, how to raise children, how to overcome obstacles, and how to get through each day.  But like the people who try to put an item together on their own without consulting the manual, many people won't read the Bible and seek its instructions, wisdom and guidance.

Do you seek its help daily?  Are you following its instructions?  Are you letting it navigate your steps through life?  Or are you trying to do it your own way?  Are you trying to figure it out on your own?  Are you leaning to your own understanding and wisdom?

Have a great day.  It is so much easier if your read the instruction manual.