MONDAY MORNING!

"Be joyful always ..."

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -- I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I want to say, "Wow. Really Paul?  Really?" But then I remember what he wrote to Timothy: "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

So, now I am saying, "Okay, God, show me." And He does. 

I begin to see that the "joyful" comes from what He has deposited inside of me and is not dependent upon my outward circumstances or situation. I begin to see that prayer is part of my communication with "the creator of all things." I begin to see that giving thanks is from a grateful heart remembering the perfect sacrifice of love for me on the cross. And, I begin to see that all of this --- being joyful, praying, being thankful --- is His will -- His choice -- for me in being connected to His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

My prayer right now? "Father, I want (I will -- I choose) to know You more. I want (I will -- I choose) to be joyful always. I want (I will -- I choose) to pray continually. I want (I will -- I choose) to give thanks in all circumstances. I want (I will - I choose) Your will for me in Christ Jesus. Amen"

Bottom Line: May we realize God's will -- His choice -- for us in Christ Jesus. May we be joyful always. May we be praying continually. And, may we give thanks in all circumstances. Amen? Amen.

 

MONDAY MORNING!

"... keep in step..."

 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. ... But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come." -- John 16:7 & 13

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." -- Galatians 5:25

One of the many purposes of the Holy Spirit being sent is to keep us in step with Father. If I should want to go one way and the Spirit wants me to go another way --- I am not in step with the Spirit.

Spirit: "Go encourage that person over there."

Me: "No, I am not in a place to do that."

Spirit: "Go pray for that person over there."

Me: "No, I'm not good at that."

Spirit: "Go this way not that."

Me: "Really? But I want to go that way not this way."

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires paying attention -- yes. But, it also requires obedience.

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires having hearing ears -- yes. But, it also requires  obedience.

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires seeing -- yes. But, it also requires obedience.

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires not talking -- yes. But, it also requires obedience. 

He, the Holy Spirit, will gently nudge, quietly speak, lovingly show and mindfully still our lips   --- all of which will keep us in step with Him and Father --- if only we obey.

Bottom Line: May we know, may we learn, may we accept that truly living by the Spirit is being in lock step with Him in all matters, on all occasions, for every situation and circumstance. May we come to know His gentle nudge, His quite voice, His loving sight, His mindful closing of our lips --- and obey Him. Amen? Amen.

MONDAY MORNING!

Salvation

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." -- I Peter 1:8-9

In simple terms "salvation" means: safe keeping, deliverance from difficulty.

Moses speaks of salvation in Exodus 15:2 -- "The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

David speaks of salvation in I Chronicles 16:23 --  " Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day." And, in Psalm 51:12 -- "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me."

Isaiah speaks of salvation in Isaiah 25:9 --- in that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."  And, of "everlasting salvation" in Isaiah 45:17 -- "But Israel will be saved by the LORD, with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgrace, to ages everlasting."

Zechariah prophesied of the salvation of Jerusalem coming riding on "the foal of a donkey" in Zechariah 9:9 -- "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Peter states in Acts 4:12 -- Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 

Moses never saw the One, David never saw the One, Isaiah never saw the One, Zechariah never saw the One, Peter did see the One but encourages those who have not seen Him -- the One -- to love Him, believe in Him and in so doing be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy in receiving the salvation of our souls.

Bottom Line: Can you say with inexpressible and glorious joy that even though you have not seen Him -- the One -- that you love Him and believe Him and have received the salvation of your soul? May all come to know the salvation -- safe keeping -- of their souls. Amen? Amen.  
  

MONDAY MORNING!

There is life in death.

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24

For many years I planted a small garden in my back yard. Tomatoes, beans, squash, turnips. For the last couple of years I have helped my dad plant a small garden -- mostly green beans and purple hull peas. All that is required is sun, soil, water, and the seeds. I would till the soil, add some fertilizer, form the rows, plant the seeds, water and then depended on God for the sunshine. After a week you could begin seeing little green sprigs breaking the ground. There is life in death. There is life in the burying of a seed and it produces an abundance of fruit and other seed. We ate the fruit of the garden all summer and into the fall.

We recently celebrated resurrection Sunday. Remembering that Jesus' death produced a life that no one had known before.  His death became the beginning of a new life and an everlasting life for all who believe.

For God so loved the world the He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." -- John 3:16

Our life in Christ is a new beginning for us here on earth. There is life in us dying to our old ways. We become a new creation in Him (II Corinthians 5:17).  So, I ask us all -- What we we doing with this new life? Are we reproducing? Are we new? Yes, indeed! But are we letting our new life bring forth "many seeds". Are we helping others who do not know to see the new life in Him? Are we living our new life for all to see? Are we taking our new life seriously enough to share it with others? Are we telling them that there is life everlasting through Him?

Bottom Line: Jesus' death brought life and continues to bring forth life. Even life everlasting. May our new life in Him continue to produce "many seeds" of new life. May we share our new life in Him with others so they to may have everlasting life. Amen? Amen.

 

MONDAY MORNING!

"He's Alive!"

"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said." -- Matthew 28:6
"He has risen! He is not here." -- Mark 16:6
"He is not here; He has risen!" -- Luke 24:6

I want to declare to you today something you should already know -- JESUS IS ALIVE! He is as much alive today as when they first discovered the empty tomb. And since He is alive -- He is alive in us! Romans 6:11 states, "count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

I am ashamed to admit it but there are times in my life that I have lived my life (even if only a very very brief moment of it) as if my Savior were not alive.  Times of trial and tribulation and discouragement and disillusionment. Isn't that awful. I mean really awful.  I was living as if I was under my circumstance and not above them as His Word declares. I am thankful that in those times it was only for a moment. And then my thinking became clear again and I declared at the top of my lungs -- "No! My Lord and Savior is alive! HE'S ALIVE! HE'S ALIVE! And He is right here with me every step of the way. Always. Always. Always."

Indeed, He is alive and seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realms. And, we are seated with Him. (Ephesians 1:20 & 2:6) Did you get that? We are seated with Him. Hallelujah! Thank you, Father! Thank you, Father!

Bottom Line: He is alive! And He is with us. May we get a hold of that in our body, mind, and spirit and may we never forget. Amen? Amen.


 

MONDAY MORNING!

"Worship the LORD with gladness"

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. -- Psalm 100

The Bible does not tell us that everything in our life has to be perfect (fine and dandy or hunky-dory) in order for us to give praise to God, our Lord, our Maker. We are to worship the Lord with gladness regardless of the condition of things around us. We are to come before Him with joyful songs. We need to realize who He is everyday! He is our Maker. We need to realize who we are to Him --- His sheep.  He cares for us. He has vested interest in us.

Do we truly realize that with every breath we take, with every fill up of our lungs that we are taking in the breath of life that He gave us? That alone should be the reason we "shout for joy"! That alone should be the reason we "worship with gladness"! That alone should be the reason we "come before Him with joyful songs"! That alone should be the reason we "know He is God"! That alone should be the reason we "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise"! That alone should be the reason we "give thanks to Him and praise His name"!

Bottom Line: May we today and every day --- "worship the LORD with gladness" for the breath of life we breath. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING!

"I AM"

Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is His name?' Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
-- Exodus 3:13-14

The more literal translation to "I AM WHO I AM" is: I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE. God was actually saying to Moses and the Israelites that He would be whatever they needed Him to be at any given time in any given situation. And, for us, as true believers, as Christians -- our Father is I AM. God, our Father, wants us to know that every single day of our existence here and for eternity He is -- I AM.

My Father, WILL BE WHAT HE WILL BE, in each and every situation and circumstance of my life. I really believe that! If I need a deliverer my Father, I AM is there! If I need provision, my Father, I AM is there! If I need a front guard or a rear guard or a side guard, my Father, I AM is there!

Consider the following:

No one will ever love you more than, I AM

No one will be more faithful to you than, I AM

No one will ever deposit more in you than, I AM

No one will ever establish a name more worthy within you and before you than, I AM

I AM -- is your Friend

I AM -- is your Advocate

I AM -- is your Sword

I AM -- is your Refuge

I AM -- is your Security

I AM -- is your Hope

I AM -- is your Promise

I AM -- is your Purpose

I AM -- is your Source for everything

I AM -- is your ALL in ALL

I AM -- is your connection to  Glorious Eternity

Bottom Line: May we not forget the love of, I AM. May we not forget the faithfulness of, I  AM. May we not forget the Word of, I AM deposited in us. And, may we never forget that His name is -- I AM. Amen? Amen.

 

MONDAY MORNING!

". . . where two or three ..."

"For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them." -- Matthew 18:20

One of my favorite scriptures that is committed to memory. It is about you, as an individual, and a couple of other people. Just think -- you and one or two others coming together in the name of Jesus and He is there with you. So, why not take advantage of that -- its scriptural.  You are over at some friends for lunch or dinner -- take time to gather in His name and see what happens. You are out in the grocery store and run into someone -- take time to gather in His name and see what happens. You are in your office setting with others -- why not take time, if and should the opportunity arises, to gather in His name and see what happens.

I once had an employee come to me concerned about some things happening with her husband. He was struggling with pressures at work and had taken off in his truck and she did not know where he was. I was careful -- I asked if we could step outside (in broad open daylight) and let me pray with her concerning his situation. We did. I prayed in the name of Jesus knowing He was with us. Within an hour she had heard from her husband and all was well with him.

Coming together in His name is powerful. Coming together in His name brings results. Coming together in His name causing things to move and shake. So, I encourage you to everyday find someone to come together with in His name.  It may be your spouse.  It may be a friend or another believer you have just met. It may be your mom or dad. And remember it does not matter where the coming together takes place -- just know He is there with you.

Bottom Line: May we daily take the time and the opportunity to come together with someone in His name. May we know the power of coming together in His name. And, may we always have a testimony of what happens when we come together in His name. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING!

I do not pretend ...

"If He snatches away, who can stop Him? Who can say to Him, 'What are you doing?'" -- Job 9:12 

I do not pretend to understand the ways of the Lord.  Well --- to be perfectly honest --- maybe sometimes I try. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us we don't: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

His way of doing things are different than mine. My way of thinking is different than His. Yet, we are encouraged to continue on a path or road of Christ-likeness. Christ was always obedient to Father. He listened and He obeyed. He did what Father showed Him to do. Just look at John 5:19 and John 8:28.

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himslef; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." -- John 5:19

  ". . . I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught Me." -- John 8:28

With those scriptures in mind -- in John 9 we are told of how Jesus heals a man born blind. He spat on the ground, made some mud and then put it on the man's eyes and told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. I see no where in that ninth chapter of John where Jesus asked, "Father, what are you doing?" He simply obeyed.

So, how do we see and hear and know what the Father is doing and asking us to do? Through faith in His Son who asked His Father to send the Holy Spirit who would then guide us into all things.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" -- John 14:26

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you. ... But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. -- John 16: 7 & 13

Yes, He speaks, He shows, He directs. The question is: Are we looking, listening and being obedient? Or, are we just thinking or saying, "What are You doing?"

Bottom Line: May we not pretend to always know His ways. May we see, may we hear, and may we obey as the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Spirit of truth guides and directs. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING!
 
"This is the way ..."

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." -- Isaiah 30:21
 

We are all on a journey here on earth. We are physically walking --- on the earth, in our homes, in our work places, in schools, and out in the public. But, we are also walking a spiritual journey with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  I believe that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we will be directed in our physical journey and our spiritual journey with Him.  Every new day brings about the opportunity to hear from Him. We just have to listen for Him.  We need to learn to discern His voice above all the other voices clamoring for our attention.

"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice. -- John 10:3-5

We need to know His voice in the midst of our everyday life circumstances. And, as a "gentle whisper" as Elijah did -- ". . . Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" -- I Kings 19: 11-13

 

Bottom Line:  Whose voice are you choosing to listen to and to follow? May we always have ears to hear His voice behind us saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Amen? Amen.

 
 

MONDAY MORNING!

"Where Are You Standing?"

"I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." -- Psalm 40:1-2

Later in this psalm, David, talks about troubles without number surrounding him and his sins overtaking him. Yet, he calls on the LORD to come save him.  He was in a "tight fix" or as some would say -- "between a rock and a hard place" or "stuck with no way out". But, he also knew where he needed to be and that was on a rock -- a solid rock and if you will --- I am thinking -- "The Rock". In the midst of his situation or circumstance he waited for the LORD to come and help place him there -- "on a rock."

So, I ask you -- Where are your feet standing? Are you in a "tight fix"?  Are you "between a rock and a hard place?" Do you feel "stuck with no way out?" --- Then who are you calling on and praying to?

This is what David prayed ---

"Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me." Ps. 40:13

Bottom Line: May we know that whatever we may be facing, whatever we may be going through, whatever may be our situation --- as we call out and patiently wait --- there is always One who will come quickly when we call, pull us out and set our feet on The Solid Rock. Amen? Amen.

MONDAY MORNING!

"We have been given something"

 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -- Matthew 5:14-16

We have been given something through Jesus Christ.  We are a light -- a beacon -- something that others point to and see -- and that light is the love of God. It is to be seen. Not hidden. You can see a city on a hill from a long way off. A light shining in a house at night can been seen through the windows. It is meant to shine forth for those within and those outside to know someone is there.

Believe me, people notice you. People see your good deeds. They see your goodness. The love of God shines through you and this is the kicker: They are not praising you when they speak to you about the good deed you may have done for them or someone else. They are praising God even if it seems like they are praising you.  How, you may be thinking? Because even if they are praising and thanking you for the good deed -- now get this -- they are thanking Him  because it is not your light, but His light that He has given you. You are just letting His light shine through you. So you see, the praise and glory always goes to Him because it is about Him.

Bottom Line: May the light -- His light -- that you have been given -- shine so that others may see Him through you and praise the Father in heaven. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING!

"God Directs"

"Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight." ... Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me." -- Psalm 119:35 & 133

"This is what the LORD says --- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." -- Isaiah 48:17

"I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." -- Jeremiah 10:23

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." -- 2 Thessalonians 3:5

I use to not like asking for directions. I would almost rather stay lost until the last possible moment when at last I would finally (at my wife's consistent and constant insistence I will add) stop and ask how to get from here to there.

Since our birth someone has been giving us directions. "Don't touch that it's hot! Don't run out in the street! Don't stay out late. You are doing a good job of cleaning your room -- keep it up." Coaches give directions to their staff and to their players and you better bet they follow if they want to continue to be part of the team. Directions are necessary in life. They help keep us going down the right path.

However, as we get older, a lot of times we do not want people giving us directions or helping us to make decisions. -- "I am grown now! I can direct myself! Not anybody going to tell me what to do!" But that is contrary to His Word -- Again, Jeremiah 10:23 -- "I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps."

 The thing is -- we all need direction in our life right up to the day we die.

Bottom Line: Who is directing your life? You and you alone? May we decide that we need direction in our life. May we know that His Word is always available to help direct us. Always. Amen? Amen.

MONDAY MORNING!

"His Word"

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." -- Hebrews 4:12

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." -- James 1:22

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." -- Colossians 3:16

"I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. ... I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways." -- Psalm 119:11 & 15

 Question? --- How many of us really spend adequate time in His Word? We read newspapers, magazines, novels -- and for quite a few that is now mostly online. But His Word is online now in any format, language or translation you want.  All at the touch of a few clicks, pushes or swipes.

For me personally, I have read through the Bible several times. I study His Word in preparing for sharing on Sunday mornings, connect group meetings, teaching on the mission field, etc. But, I even find within myself a lacking of really meditating on His Word as I should. The LORD, in speaking to Joshua as he was coming into his leadership role, had this to say to him: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." -- Joshua 1:8

My Webster Dictionary states that "meditate" means ---  to engage in contemplation or reflection. The Hebrew word actually means "to murmur". So, to meditate on His word is more than thinking about it or contemplating it, or reflecting on it.  It is actually saying it over and over and over again until it is in your inmost being. You keep bringing it up over and over again. Just take this small example: Say, "The LORD is my Shepherd." -- Now say it over and over and over and over and over and over. Say it again and again by putting different emphasis on each word.  Believe me -- it will begin to get down in you as never before.

Bottom Line: May we choose to really spend quality time in His Word. May we choose to really spend time meditating on His Word. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING

"God Forgives"

". . . Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. -- Psalm 19:12-13

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners --- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life." -- I Timothy 1:15-16

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. -- I John 1:9

How many are thankful that God forgives? My hand is up first! How many are grateful that He sent His One and Only Son to die for our sin? Yep, my hand is up first again!  Just think of this: When we ask, as believers, for God to forgive us -- Guess what? He forgives us! Amen?
Now does that mean we are okay to keep on sinning? Listen to this: "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" -- Romans 6:1-2 

Are we ever going to be perfect and not sin?  Not in this world we have now and not in this temporary earthen jar we call our body. But we can be thankful for a loving God that always forgives. Have you ever washed a bunch of dirty dishes? They may have food caked on them, some greasy, some just really sticky and messy. But you take warm water, dish liquid and a little scrubbing and they are all clean --- just to get messed up again. That's us -- we get messed up again and again but guess what? God is in the dish cleaning business (if I may put it that way). He is --- "The Mr. Clean".  No matter how big the mess --- He is faithful to forgive every time we ask.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." -- Psalm 103:11-12

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Can you hear me praising God? -- I said -- HALLELUJAH! 

Bottom Line: May we come to know that we have a loving Father who always forgives whenever we ask.  Amen? Amen!
   

MONDAY MORNING

"... for I am with you ..."

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. --- For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." --- Is. 41:10 & 13

Sometimes, in certain given situations and circumstances, we may be tempted to think that God has forgotten about us. That He is nowhere to be found. Believe me -- things could be a lot worse if He were not around. But, sometimes I still think my situation or circumstances are at the absolute lowest. Then -- then I remember. YES! The tomb is empty and Jesus is still on His throne. Ephesians 1:20 tells us that God has "seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, for above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in this present age but also in the one to come." And, Romans 8:34 tells us that Jesus, "... is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

And! And! Get a hold of this one down in your inmost being: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus," -- Ephesians 2:6.

Listen very carefully. We are not ever below or under our circumstances or situations. We are above them. Above them! We are the head not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). Yes, I may be or you may be struggling financially, or spiritually, or physically, emotionally or some other area. But listen up! The victory is already His and ours because we are His! And, we are seated with Him!

Bottom Line: May we not fear, may we not be dismayed. May we know He is with us and that we are with Him.  And, may we know that He will strengthen and help us in all situations and circumstances. Amen? Amen.

MONDAY MORNING
God Delivers

"From the LORD comes deliverance." -- Psalm 3:8
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;" -- Psalm 18:2
"A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save." -- Ps. 33:17
"...He delivered me from all my fears." -- Psalm 34:4
 "O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, ..." -- Psalm 140:7

The Lord Jesus Christ is our deliverer, if we choose to let Him be so. That's why we call Him, Savior.
He is able to deliver us from bondage, from sickness, from demons, from troubles, from hurts, from sin that entangles us and from an eternity of damnation. As a matter of fact, that and so much more was all done for us and for all mankind when Jesus said, "It is finished." All of our deliverance was delivered to us at that moment. We just need to call upon His name and believe and know it has been done. 

Bottom Line: May our hope and trust always be in the One who paid it all for us and finished it all for us and delivered it all for us. Amen? Amen.

  

MONDAY MORNING

"Be Still"

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." -- Psalm 46:10

 As a kid, one of the hardest things for me to do was to "be still".  When my dad or mom gave those instructions to me -- "sit down and be still," it was like I had been lock up in jail. However, they knew there was a time to "be still."

Even now for us there is a time to "be still" -- to know God. On May 19, 2010 I received a voice mail on my cell phone from my daughter, Aimee. I still have it saved. Here is the written transcript:

Hey, Dad. It's Aimee. It is Wednesday at 3:10 in the afternoon and I usually spend the time in my car praying and today is the nineteenth and I felt like the Lord said to tell you, "Be still and know that I am God." And then I started like really thinking about each word because its like we hear that all the time and --- I don't know --- it was just pretty powerful to me --- that you've got to know. You need to say it and know in your knower and then again in your knower and your knower and your knower. To be still and know that He is God. --- All powerful. --- Love you."

Yes, we need to be still and know Him. Really know Him.

To know and reflect on who He is.

To know and reflect on His love.

To know and reflect on His mercy and grace over us.

To know and reflect on how mighty and powerful He is.

To know and reflect on the salvation he brought to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

To know --- To know --- To know --- To know.

Bottom Line: We all need to find time to be still and know in our knower that He is God. Amen? Amen.

  

MONDAY MORNING

"Let your gentleness be evident..."

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." -- Proverbs 15:1

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." -- Matthew 11:29

"What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?" -- I Corinthians 4:21

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law." -- Galatians 5:22-23

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." -- Philippians 4:5 

When I was much, much younger, my mother once wrote Proverbs 15:1 on a piece of cardboard and nailed it to a wall in the bedroom I shared with my younger brother.  It stayed there for years! With all these verse on gentleness or being gentle I am not saying to be a "push-over". My brother and I were not easily pushed over by each other. But, I grew wiser as he grew bigger and stronger.  Our last wrestling match (all in fun -- kinda) was when I was a sophomore in college. After a few minutes of rough housing I was on top and then slapped him in the face. It was then that I realized his strength -- he flipped me and pinned me to the floor in about 3 seconds! The next thing I knew I was being folded up like an accordion. And, it was after that wrestling match that I grew wiser. We both laugh about it to this day.

The prophecy in Zachariah 9:9 of Jesus coming "gentle and riding on a donkey" was fulfilled in Matthew 21:1-11. But, at verse 12 of the same chapter Jesus entered the temple, overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.  The Gospels of Mark and Luke state that Jesus began to drive them out. Wow! Jesus was no push-over. There is a time for righteous anger.  There is a time to uphold the Word of God and His standards of righteousness. There is a time to stand up and defend the fatherless, widow, the poor. Yet, yet --- there is a time that your gentleness is to be evident to all.

 So again, I am not saying be a "push-over". To be someone who is taken advantage of. No. There is a way in Christ to be gentle and yet stand firm. A gentle answer can help avoid a needless confrontation. A gentle answer can be the difference in making a friend or an enemy. There is a place for the Spirit of gentleness.

Bottom Line: May we learn to know when to be strong in the Lord and uphold His Word and may we learn to how to let our gentleness be evident to all because --- "The Lord is near." Amen? Amen.
 

MONDAY MORNING

"...be made new..."

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." -- Ephesians 4:22-24

We are talking about new beginnings. So, we bid farewell to 2016 and look forward with expectation to 2017. And, more than ever let us embrace the  new year and desire to be made new in the attitude of our minds.  Make sure we put on the new self --- everyday.

The old life will try to creep back in. Don't give it room. Old attitudes will try to prevail. Don't give in to them.

BOTTOM LINE: May we -- "... be made new in the attitude of [our] minds;" May we -- " ... put on the new self...". May we make it a point to remind ourselves of these scriptures everyday of 2017. May we realize and know that we are a new creation -- "... created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  Amen? Amen.