Month: November 2024

Gift

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“Thy will be done” Matthew 6:10

Jesus asked the blind man in Mark 10:51, “what can I do for you?” Jesus did not assume what the blind man’s choice would be, so He asked him. The blind man did ask for sight, which Jesus restored. But I was thinking, what if the blind man had said to Jesus,

Whatever You Desire, Lord.

Can you imagine what such surrender might have led to for the blind man? We look at the miracle of sight restored, which is truly wonderful, but what greater blessings might have been in store for the blind man? So often we focus on our specific needs of the day, and do not look at the greater picture of what’s possible. The ultimate gift that we can give to ourselves is the exact same gift that we can give to God; our surrendered will. Lord God, let Thy will be done.

Thanksgiving!

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“Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Psalm 100:4

I’ve sat down to one too many thanksgiving dinners with one thought in mind, ‘leave room for dessert’. I know the pie is there. I can smell it when I enter the house, then I can see it as I enter the kitchen and it looks amazing. Yet, my eyes are always larger than my stomach during dinner and by the time dessert rolls around there is literally, as they say, ‘no room in the inn’. And yet, for all the feasting and celebrating, for me thanksgiving is about being thankful. It’s about family and friends and the life God has graciously given me. Some years were lean beyond comprehension, others held a sense of sorrow for loved ones gone, and others the laughter would lift the roof. Yet in the good years and the not so good years,

There Is Always Something To Be Thankful For.

That may sound cliche, but don’t let it become that for you. Thanksgiving is the very first word that should pass our lips each day as we pray to God. God is life and all that we enjoy comes from Him. Don’t miss your chance to be thankful. For who among you does not pour out your love when someone is thankful to you. Just think how much more your Heavenly Father will pour over your life when you are thankful for what He has already given to you.

No Doubt

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“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replied, “Come”. Matthew 14:28

As Peter sat in his fishing boat he saw Jesus walking toward Him on the sea. In seeing this miracle unfold, for a brief moment, Peter had mountain moving faith by saying to Jesus, tell me to come to you and I will walk on the water just like you. Jesus said, bring it on, so Peter did, and for a few steps, actually walked upon the water. Then, his doubts set in. You know the ones, those nagging doubts that say to us “this is not possible”. Of course, we also know that once they start the doubts grow louder between the ears to the point where he actually started to sink. Jesus then reached out to save Him. There are two interesting lessons in this story. For the first lesson let me borrow from Shakespeare who once said,

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”

Yes doubt is our cruelest of adversaries, often crippling us before we even start. Jesus said it best, saying, “If you only had faith and did not doubt you could say to this mountain move and it would move”. The second lesson is also powerful. In our doubt, Jesus still saves. Jesus did not let Peter dip beneath the water, He reached out his hand and pulled him up. He will do the same for you. Why not lose the doubt. Even in your worst case scenario Jesus is still there to catch you.

“You Are Precious”

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God says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. You are precious in my sight and I love you.” Isaiah 43:1 & 4

We walk through life believing what our friends say we are, or what our enemies say we are, or what the media says we are, or what we decide that we are. Why not look at yourself from a different vantage point.

Who Does God Say You Are?

After all, does it matter what anyone else thinks? Ask yourself, who does God say I am? Scripture says each of us are beautiful and wonderfully made. That we are His handiwork. That we are His children. That we are Royalty. And in Isaiah 43 God says He has redeemed us and called us by name, that we are His, and precious in His sight. Don’t believe the lie that you are unseen, or uncared for. God knows exactly who you are for He made you, and He loves you beyond your comprehension!

Simple Praise

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“I give You thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart” Psalm 139:1

Jesus is our Healer, our Provider, our Savior, and our friend like none other. The words ‘Thank you’ sometimes do not seem adequate, but of all the words we can chose from, when given from a grateful heart,

‘Thank You’ Is Sincere Praise!

Give praise to the Lord with your whole heart for we have much to celebrate. A world without Jesus is a world not worth celebrating, but with Him, we are restored, and all things are possible for those who believe.

Do Not Worry

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“I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from ALL my fears” Psalm 34:4

How many fears are you carrying today? One? Five? A dozen? You don’t have to. Large or small,

Give Every Fear to God

I’ve stopped counting how many times the Bible references God telling us not to fear, but instead to bring our burdens to Him. Today is the day for you to take God up on His promises. Give every burden you have to God! Pray for His leading, His wisdom, and His intervention. Then stop worrying. He is all you need!

Little Things

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Jesus said, “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you a ruler over many things.” Matthew 25:23

Great success and large numbers are celebrated as the media shines a spotlight on their version of what success in life means. That’s what makes God’s economy so very interesting. The entire universe belongs to God, yet in scripture we find over and over again that God celebrates the little things the most. Christ came as a poor carpenter, not a wealthy king. He chose fishermen and common laborers as His disciples. He celebrated kindness and thoughtfulness in asking us to love our neighbor as we would ourselves. In the case of today’s verse, a servant was faithful with the small amount of money entrusted to him, and was rewarded as a result. We can learn much from this example.

Celebrate The Little Things In Life

Mother Theresa once said of the little things, “If you can’t do them with great love, do them with a little love. If you can’t do them with a little love, do them anyway.” That’s amazing advice for us today. Why not give it a try. A small kindness given away each day will enrich your life more than you can ever imagine.

Lost Faith?

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“If we are faithless, He remains faithful.” 2 Timothy 2:13

Are you struggling in your faith? Having difficulty believing that all things really do work together for good for those who love God? You are not alone. The Bible is filled with men and woman who struggled with faith. Moses asked of God, “Who am I?” David asked the same question. Sarah thought she was too old, Jeremiah thought he was too young. Peter denied Christ. The list of those lacking faith is endless. Now for the good news,

God Is Faithful.

2 Timothy 2:13 says it clearly, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful!” God did not choose Moses for his articulate words, nor Jeremiah for his aged wisdom, nor David for his might and strength, nor Sarah for her youth, nor Peter for his elevated standing in the community. At one time or another they all felt inferior and not up to the job. In a word, they felt faithless. Thankfully, in our weakness, God gives the strength, God gives the words, God gives the wisdom, God gives the power to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. What do we need to do? Simply say yes to Him. Surrender to His will for your life and you will truly have a life filled with faith, and have it abundantly!

Lift

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“Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you.” Psalm 55:22

I cannot remove the image from my mind of my grandmother kneeling beside her bed at night and giving her burdens to God. If one of her children was going through a very difficult time, she gave it to the Lord. If a friend was stricken with a life threatening illness, she gave it to the Lord. When her arthritic bones created more aches and pains than any human being should have to endure, there she was, kneeling on a hard floor,

Lifting Her Burdens To God

I will also never forget waking up the next morning only to hear her singing, “Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life.” As she worked in the kitchen her burdens were gone, placed before the Lord in a simple act of faith. Grandma Inez may have been a simple farmers wife but she was wealthier than any oil baron or captain of industry, for she did not rely on a laurels of education, nor a bank account full of money. Inez relied on God! God has given you a promise in Psalm 55:22. As you seek after God, and His will, and rely on Him alone, He will sustain you. Your burdens are only burdens if you choose carry them. Lift your burdens to the Lord. 

Lighten Up

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

Are you feeling fear? Fear over a relationship, your finances, your job, your health, your purpose, your future, inadequacy? It’s time to take a deep breath, calm your spirit, and remember these two words:

Fear Not

The Lord is your light and your salvation; whom shall you fear? The Lord is the strength of your life, of whom shall you be afraid? These are not just words to remember, they are the very essence of faith in God’s very real presence. God is with you wherever you go, whatever you are going through.