Thought For The Day

God's word is not like a bag of mixed nuts, where you can pick out what you prefer and leave the rest. How soon we forget that it is the whole of God's word that we need to chew and chew on and grow thereby. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness. All scripture is God breathed , it is Spirit and it is life. God's name is so holy, yet His word is above His name. Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name, For Your loving-kindness and your truth: For you have magnified Your word above all Your name. We should be growing daily.  If we are the same as we were last year , then its time for a spiritual check-up, and some spring cleaning!   Asking ourselves  some questions: 1. Do I still  have a desire to sit and read the word of God? To meditate. 2. Is my prayer life diminishing, or am I anxious to spend time with the

Too much sweet preaching will cause truth decay.  We need to hear the good parts as well as the warnings to us,  they are all part of the whole that is there to protect us. Jesus loves us, but He also disciplines us for our good, so that we can grow and be more like Him. Who would not like to walk in all the blessings of the Lord? That will take commitment on our part. Obedience to the word of God. The blessings are there for us, if we will walk according to God's word. Obey the voice of the Spirit, and follow Jesus. Our salvation is one hundred percent positive, our walk in that salvation is another matter. First Jesus becomes Savior in our life, then He becomes Lord of our life as we walk out all that He has placed in us. We need the warnings in God's word so that we will not be deceived. Especially in these last hours. Great deception is in this world. We are not to be a part of it in any way. We are to discern what is of God and what is not. We do that by r

Running takes great endurance.  We have to prepare our muscles for the long haul.  Our spiritual muscles that is. We read God's word in order to strengthen us, we step out in faith even though the land is unfamiliar to us. We prepare those  spiritual muscles by exercising our faith trusting the Lord.  By stepping out of our comfort zone and making the effort to endure until we finish our race. There will be aches and pains, but we will push through them and keep going, knowing we will win the prize of our high calling in Jesus Christ. Our heart will pound as we run and we will get tired at times, but, because of the great prize awaiting us we keep going, pushing through every obstacle we will encounter. Hebrews 3:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us , and let us run with endurance the race set before us. Looking unto to Jesus, the author and the finisher

There is something so freeing about giving to others.  Do you want to know the real you?  Then be a giver. God is a great giver. He gave us life and a beautiful earth with all we need in it to live a happy, prosperous life, for our body, soul and spirit. Plenty of food, sunshine and rain to help our food grow. It doesn't matter how much we have that counts, but how much we give away, that will be recorded in God's books. When we empty ourselves of the desire to be number one, and get all we can, and can all we get, that is when we will find such a joy in being like our heavenly Father who gave us the best He has. John 3:16 For God so loved  the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life. Then He gave us the Holy Spirit to be our partner in this life. To teach us about heavenly mindedness, and what belongs to us as God's children. It is in giving of all our resources, that we find out just

When we feel inadequate, and we all do, from time to time, know that Jesus in you is adequate. He is more than enough to bring us through to victory. Feeling inadequate is a humbling thing, because we really are most of the time, just that.  We know that greater is He that is in me, and we quote I can do all things through Christ, but we cannot do all things. Can we stop the moon from shinning? Can we stop the sun from shinning? There are many things we cannot do, but what we can do is put our trust in the Lord and allow Him to carry us through. In the natural if we draw on God's power we can prosper in all things in our life with Jesus. Better said, I can do all things through Christ Jesus, because He will be doing the doing in us, and for us. Philippians 4:13 (amplified bible) I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me-I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me, (that is, I am  self-sufficient in Christ

Grace is not just getting us into heaven, it is getting heaven into us. All the heavenly qualities that Jesus revealed to us in His word, we are to have in our life, how else will the world see Jesus. 1John 3:1-2 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.   And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, Just as He is pure. Grace and truth go together. Grace ( God's unmerited favor) is received by faith. Backed up by God's word of truth. We purify ourselves with the washing by the water of the word.  God's word is so powerful, it cleanses, purifies, and changes our heart. When we run into a situation we see as very difficult, we need to claim the grace

Even though the children of Israel did not follow God from their heart, our awesome God still moved mightily in their lives. Isaiah 29:13-14 Therefore the Lord said; "in as much as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me.  And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, Therefore, behold, I will do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and wonder, For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden. The pride and arrogance of the wise and prudent men, were a stench in Gods nostrils, He wanted the heart of the people to be on Him alone. But we have a compassionate God who does not give up on His children. Psalm 78:35-39 Then they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their redeemer. Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth. And they lied to Him with their tongue;  For their heart was not stea

What a glorious time that will be, when my Jesus I will see.  Worship our King! He conquered death, hell and the grave.  We know that in our mind, but has it really sunk down deep into our heart.  Because Faith (our belief system is developed in our heart) That's worth a shout of Praise! Romans 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection. This should supply boundless joy to our hearts, knowing that we will live again, in the perfect world the Lord will provide for us. In Jesus' resurrected body He walked through walls. He appeared to the disciples without coming through a door. He had a real body as He told Thomas to put His finger in His side. We will have supernatural bodies, and we will be able to do things we could have never done before, in these earthly bodies. Luke 24: 36-43 (After Jesus appeared to Simon Peter privately) Now as they said  these things, Jesus Himself stood in the m

It's not about eggs, unless we are thinking of the egg in Mary's body.  The one that would develop into the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Easter eggs are fun for the kids, but they need to learn what Easter is about, more than candy and eggs. It is the time we can tell the kids, God created the chicken and the chicken gives us eggs. Families and friends are making plans to be together, and share a meal, and love on each other for this great celebration of our Lord's resurrection from the dead. As we approach Friday, its called good Friday, but when I see the suffering our Lord went through I cannot call it good. The only good is, that He took on all world's sin and disease on Himself, because He loves us. This was His mission on the earth and to show us what the Father is like. John 14:7-11 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also, and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."   Phillip said to Him, "Lord, show

Are your motives in sharing Jesus and doing service for the kingdom, about you or the Lord? To express : to put into words and being direct, about the Lord. To Impress: to effect strongly the mind and emotions of others, pointing to ourselves. We are to work for the cause, not for the applause. The cause of Christ carries its own applause, seeing lives changed will cause your heart to rejoice and all the applause goes to the Lord. We don't need the applause of man. Our rewards are in heaven.  What we do in the kingdom of God is not for our recognition, it is for Jesus , so people will recognize His work in their life and know that He loves them. We are not to strive to make our presence known, we are to strive to make our absence felt. Why?  Because people can sense the love of God in us, and it has a fragrance. Philippians 4:18 (Gifts that Paul received) A sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Our gifts given for the Lords work is

You can't help another person uphill, without getting closer to the top yourself. I had this message on my answer machine for years, always added the Lord Jesus loves you. There are rewards for being like Jesus, and doing all that He calls us to do. Philippians 2:1-4 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others. Have you ever canceled something very important to you in order to help a friend? Or were your plans more important? We are to look out for our own interests, but sometimes we need to put them aside and help someone in need. Sometimes we have to die to our nee

As you remember, Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with fig leaves, to cover their nakedness. They had disobeyed the Lord, and now they had a conscience alive and well, to know good and evil, which told them they were naked, and now fear had entered their heart, something God never intended them to experience. Fig tree religion is: when you look and sound good on the outside, but you do not bear any fruit.  You cover your sin with religious activity, but never repent. Matthew 21:19-22 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city.  He was hungry.  And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again."  Immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?"  So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what w

Don't trust your feelings on this issue.  People get busy and side tracked with other things in their life, they may have not deserted you after all. Just as the Lord is working things in our life, He is also working things in your friends and loved ones life. Never allow the enemy to fill your mind full of negative thoughts and drag you into self-pity.  That will do you no good at all.  Look to Jesus! Psalm 27:10 When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. Look to the Lord when you feel that you have been deserted or forsaken. When we are hurting, that is when we run to the Lord undone, with no where to turn. Jesus is always waiting for us with open arms.   He understands how we feel.  When He was on the earth He was rejected, forsaken, and deserted by the ones that He loved the most, including His family. His brothers rejected Him, until Jesus was resurrected from the dead. In these times in our life, God is teaching us to cast all o

Are you ready to leave the comfortable nest and try your wings and fly, Grow more in the Lord, see things from His point of view? Lessons from a mother eagle. The mother eagle will make such a comfortable nest for her young.  She gathers branches with thorns, places over the top of bigger branches, then she will put smaller branches with leaves, and last she fills the nest with soft warm feathers. In order for the eaglet's to learn to fly, mother has to start taking the nest apart, little by little she will remove some of the comfort they are so use to. Sound familiar? God makes it very comfortable for His children, but when it is time for a big change in their life, He begins to remove some of the familiar comfortable things in our life.  There will be thorns in our nest! Uncomfortable. When the mother eagle starts removing the soft feathers and gets down to the leaves, then the eaglet's realize something is changing. It is not so comfortable anymore. Finally they

Stay faithful and pray daily and claim scripture for your unsaved loved ones, they will be saved. When the angels hear the word of God being claimed and spoken back to God in prayer, angels move on their assignment. You cannot go wrong praying the word of God. Claiming all His promises. Psalm 103:20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word . Heeding the voice of His word. The angels will move on your behalf as soon as they hear the word of God from your lips. We are to believe God's word when it says you and your household shall be saved. Don't give up on any of your loved ones, God is always working things out that we know nothing about. Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? The angels will place certain people along your unsaved loved ones path. They are busy intervening in their life. As long as you are faithful to pray for those you love, family, friends,

Do we have heart trouble, is our heart weighed down with too much stuff from the world around us? Proverbs 4:23-27 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life .  Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.  Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil. Jesus said "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Our tongue can betray our faith, speaking unkind words. Creating doubt in others.  Doubt is:  Devil -On -U- Big- Time. Is your mouth filled with faith words of healing and wholeness to those around you? Or do you jump in when someone speaks contrary to the word of God, and agree with them? If you do, you have just moved yourself from the blessing planned for that day. Repent! We cannot be double minded as believers in our Lord Je

Staying quiet in the presence of the Lord. Placing our mind on Jesus and keeping our focus only on Him. In the Psalm 23:2, it states that He leads me beside still waters. I love this, that He makes me lie down in green pastures .  He makes certain that we sheep have a supply of good food (His word) before He leads us to the still waters. Where our, mind, will and emotions will be restored. In the still waters it is like a mirror, you can see yourself clearly, and since Jesus is the one who led you there, you can see His reflection with you. These are quiet times with the Lord.  No words are needed.   Words are like pebbles in the water, it will cause a ripple effect and the reflection would be distorted. The Lord wants to minister to us in silence. When there are no distractions with words. He wants to have a quiet time where He can impart things to us that we would never receive if we started talking. When our mind would be engaged with what we want to say, it would no

In order to allow the gift of being an encourager to function, we must have a heart of love for others and really care for their growth in the Lord. Exhortation is one of the communication gifts. It means to call forward, to urge one to pursue a course of conduct.  It is to excite by words of advice, advise strongly, to admonish earnestly, yet being kind. It is urging others forward and believing the best for them. Encouragers will  not compromise truth in order to spare feelings , for they know that building up your Godly character is more important. They are firm, yet kind It is their gift to build up the body of Christ, they will never leave one wounded in spirit. A true encourager is firm yet kind. They know that others have a tendency to get stuck in their past.  They will push them forward , always pointing to Jesus and His Godly character. Jude 2:3-4 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation.  I found it necessary to write t

Does it seem cruel to you that the Father allowed Jesus to suffer so much for us humans? God sees the big picture, we see only in part. Can our finite minds ever fully understand how a loving Father would allow such suffering? We must keep in mind, Jesus was with the Father in heaven and during earths creation, and Jesus said He would come down to earth and redeem us back from death and destruction. The perfect Lamb of God, without sin. It was His choice. He knew what kind of death He would have to suffer. 1Peter 1:18-19 Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Jesus was already slain from the foundation of the earth.(Rev 13:8) God had given mankind a free will to make choices, mankind chose to rebel against God, and so from the beginning God had a backup plan, something the enemy co

If we follow all of the things we ought to be , we would be so joyful and content as God's word works transformation in us. 1.  We are to be kind to each other and those around us. Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. 2. We are to be merciful. Luke 6:36 "Therefore be merciful , just as your Father also is merciful. 3.  We are to be doers of the word. James 1:22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 4. We are to be thankful . Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. 5.  We are to be strong. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. 6.  We are to be steadfast. 1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast , immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labo

Idle words that we may speak are, useless, unproductive, careless, cruel, with no thought how it will effect others. Matthew 12:35-36 (Jesus speaking) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and a evil out of the evil treasures brings forth evil things. But I say to you that every idle word men may speak , they will give account of it in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will be justified , and by your words you will be condemned. We need to ask ourselves, would love speak this way? God who lives inside of us is love. We need to speak those things that produce life to one another and see the Holy Spirit do the great work in our hearts, as we learn to apply God's word and speak it forth with love and boldness. Ephesians 3: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. When the enemy places a negative thought in our mind, we are to cast it down, do not entertain the thought or speak it out of ou