Saturday, November 25, 2017

November 25

While reading the Bible from cover to cover, we often miss things in our haste to get through it. I was stopped for a moment when I read an account of David, which I’m sure I had read before and just breezed right over it. David was very dramatic and spilled out his thoughts onto scrolls which has become a good portion of the Psalms we read today. As David comforts himself with words and thoughts, we can also draw comfort from them as we are faced with challenges. In this particular verse, he is in fear for his life and reasons that his death will be the gain of the Lord. But, God wouldn’t allow the death of His chosen one for the glory of his enemy. Have you ever thought that God would look at our death as precious? Isn’t it comforting to know that heaven awaits our coming and the Lord is ready to welcome us home when our body gives us over to death?


Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalms 116:15

Friday, November 24, 2017

November 24

I did a little shopping after Thanksgiving. This was something new for me because I’ve always avoided the madness. As it turned out, I was right about it! I stood there waiting for the doors of Macy’s to open, noticing the mix of people ready to get a great deal on whatever they could find. The rush to the escalator was incredible, and complete strangers were pushing in on me and touching me! I like Macy’s bath and bedding section, and since I go in there quite a bit for those types of items, I notice that the things that were marked for 65% off had never been priced that high before! I decided that it’s not for me! I’ll take the lazy, midweek, before Thanksgiving shopping experience over that foolishness any day! I can understand the art of getting a deal and I guess it satisfies the need to hunt, but I’m content with the normal shopping experience! The lesson today: Contentment.


But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Thursday, November 23, 2017

November 23

We all have so much to be thankful for. The words from our lips do not match what we’ve been given and pale in comparison to the praise that should be offered to God. Even though there is no way to give the Lord what He deserves, it should be our mission to try. As we fill our tables and stuff our bellies with the fresh harvest, we must remember who made the sacrifice and set the table before us. I look at it as a small sampling of what the wedding feast of the Lamb will one day look like, as we are seated in His presence. We have many things to be thankful for today, but above everything, we should be thankful for Jesus and the sacrifice He made so that we might one day be in His heavenly presence. We must also remember the Holy Spirit, that special gift, and the reminders He gives us daily of our Savior, and for the comfort and peace He brings. HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!


I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. Psalms 116:17

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

November 22

What is your reaction when people are under the attack of the enemy? My first thought is: What are God’s plans for this person? The enemy doesn’t come after people who are on his side; a house divided will fall! Then I begin to get excited because God’s plan never fails. When the enemy is fighting so hard to keep you down, he probably knows the outcome and it may be bad news for his plan! I don’t know what James was thinking when he said to consider it joy when you face trials, because there’s nothing joyful about it! You may be struggling now, but hold on to what you have until the end. It is then you will see God’s plan fall into place and it will be oh-so-sweet. When you're going through it, you're not sure when it will end and all you want is for it to be over. God already knows the end, and knows you can handle it! Anything worth having is worth fighting for. Armor up!

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

November 21

Sometimes you come to a crossroad and are not sure which way to turn. If you’re following Jesus, and He hasn’t given you a signal, it’s not time to turn! So, you’ve been on a treacherous road, the path is narrow, there have been boulders that were hard to squeeze by, the potholes were deep, and you can barely see the Shepherd because He’s a great distance away; have no fear, He’s closer than you think. Adversity can make it hard to see our guide in this life, but He assures us that He’s right there carefully watching our every move. I know you’re getting sick of this particular road, everything is beginning to look the same and the travel is getting much harder, but until you hear a definite answer to your prayer to turn off this road, stay the course. I can guarantee you that what’s waiting at the end will be worth every ounce of grief you’ve suffered. Stay the course!


And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:20-21

Monday, November 20, 2017

November 20

We can approach this life as timid reactors or we can stand strong when we face our trials and fight back. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power! If you are shrinking back and refuse to fight the good fight of faith because you are afraid, you are listening to the wrong commander! The way we wield that power is quite different than what you would think. Our weapons are linked to the Spirit of God so it’s not by our own power that we win. But, you must remember that the enemy doesn’t fight fair and will use your own earthly desires to draw your attention away from God to send you off course. God wrote the playbook on how to win, but if you never read it, you will be fighting a losing battle, and the enemy will win. When you have fought in your own strength and are battle weary, go back to the Word and try God’s strategy and use His strength!


for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Sunday, November 19, 2017

November 19

The mighty hand of God cannot be denied by those who’ve witnessed His power. Ask anyone that has had their soul snatch from the depths of despair and felt the compassion of the Almighty overwhelm them with His love. Ask me if you need a witness. His passion for His lovely is unmatched; and to watch it unfold before your eyes is unlike any other site. My heart sings for joy when evil turns and runs as the battle ensues, and to see the work of their hand destroyed by the warriors enlisted by Him. I am grateful for His love for me. Who could possibly need more than Him? Open your hearts, praise His name, because there is a battle going on that you know nothing about unless you tune in. He has fought and won and it’s fast approaching the time for evil to be sent to it’s forever home in the depth of Hades! But until that day comes, praise the King for His mercy!


Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. Psalms 107:31-32