May the presence of God accompany you throughout this day as we move through the weekend of national Thanksgiving.
May our loving and beneficent God be pleased with the prayers of thanks that come before Him during this weekend as we remember of all His blessings upon us as a nation.
Many are troubled this year and rightly so, but let us not forget that nothing ever takes God by surprise. The troubles that surround are not beyond His control.
Already He has fortified us to move through these times by blessing us with His own personal presence through His abiding Holy Spirit who immediately came to abide within us the moment we received Christ as personal Lord and Savior.
Let us strongly affirm that He is God. It is He Who had made us, and we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Draw near Him this season and be comforted.
This will be my final devotional for some time, perhaps months, due to rotator cuff surgery on Monday which will keep me from being able to type until the surgeon releases me. Most patients my age need longer to recuperate. I am asking God to be help me cooperate with the doctors and therapists, and to be patient in waiting until the area is restored. Of course, I ask that you pray with me, please.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's season filled with the joy of the Lord.
As soon as possible I look forward to sharing with you again. Thanks for your friendship.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Nov.25, 2015
"Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Ps. 100:2
Wanna turn some heads today?
Let the gladness of being a Child of God be evident as you move through your day with gladness in your heart that from time to time just breaks out in joyful singing.
It's contagious when done with a smile on your face and joy in your voice.
Give it a try today as you make this your way of expressing thanks to God on the eve of Thanksgiving which officially begins the Christmas season TOMORROW!!
Help all those around you to experience the joy of this wonderful time by setting the tone through your gladness and singing.
And if they happen not to understand, what a terrific "open door" to share your love of God and your faith in Him.
As far as I know, there isn't yet a new edict that prohibits you showing your gladness and thanks by singing a song of thanks.
You might even find some others around you who will take joy and courage to join in singing with you.
Wanna turn some heads today?
Let the gladness of being a Child of God be evident as you move through your day with gladness in your heart that from time to time just breaks out in joyful singing.
It's contagious when done with a smile on your face and joy in your voice.
Give it a try today as you make this your way of expressing thanks to God on the eve of Thanksgiving which officially begins the Christmas season TOMORROW!!
Help all those around you to experience the joy of this wonderful time by setting the tone through your gladness and singing.
And if they happen not to understand, what a terrific "open door" to share your love of God and your faith in Him.
As far as I know, there isn't yet a new edict that prohibits you showing your gladness and thanks by singing a song of thanks.
You might even find some others around you who will take joy and courage to join in singing with you.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Nov. 24, 2014
That we may not miss the importance of this sacred week, let's take time to review some Biblical passages familiar to most, but for those just being introduced to the Word of God, let;s help them discover why this week is so meaningful to America.
Share with them, "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all your lands! Psalm 100:1
Not that we must shout to get God's attention, but that our excitement of being able to make this shout as we proclaim our faith in and thanks to God; a freedom still possible in a land so quickly turning from God to embrace teachings denying His very existence.
If we who believe are not careful and eager to let our trust in Him and thanks to Him be heard we will soon lose this privilege as a nation.
What a tragedy!
Wear your thanks on your sleeve.
Demonstrate your faith through your gratitude.
And include others who may not know why they should be doing so.
This week be unashamed to SAY you are thankful and give God the praise that you are!
Share with them, "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all your lands! Psalm 100:1
Not that we must shout to get God's attention, but that our excitement of being able to make this shout as we proclaim our faith in and thanks to God; a freedom still possible in a land so quickly turning from God to embrace teachings denying His very existence.
If we who believe are not careful and eager to let our trust in Him and thanks to Him be heard we will soon lose this privilege as a nation.
What a tragedy!
Wear your thanks on your sleeve.
Demonstrate your faith through your gratitude.
And include others who may not know why they should be doing so.
This week be unashamed to SAY you are thankful and give God the praise that you are!
Monday, November 23, 2015
Nov.23, 2015
"For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." Rom. 8:12-13
Who's in control?
If you, according the the Bible, there's every reason to reconsider.
It says that the difference between being led by the flesh and by the Holy Spirit is life itself; abundant life now, and eternal life with God FOREVER!
This absolutely does not mean that you give up the joys and wonders of life in the present.
To the contrary, those whose lives are committed to the Lordship of Jesus are far more content and filled with peace and joy than they ever experienced without Him as their Savior and dearest Friend.
Glance back at what Paul said in the verses printed above; "if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, YOU WILL LIVE."
Yes, you do have to experience it to believe it.
But, there is no other way.
Who's in control?
If you, according the the Bible, there's every reason to reconsider.
It says that the difference between being led by the flesh and by the Holy Spirit is life itself; abundant life now, and eternal life with God FOREVER!
This absolutely does not mean that you give up the joys and wonders of life in the present.
To the contrary, those whose lives are committed to the Lordship of Jesus are far more content and filled with peace and joy than they ever experienced without Him as their Savior and dearest Friend.
Glance back at what Paul said in the verses printed above; "if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, YOU WILL LIVE."
Yes, you do have to experience it to believe it.
But, there is no other way.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Nol. 20, 2015
"There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1
Let this truth from the lips of the apostle Paul saturate your heart and mind.
He told us how to live life to its fullest, BEGINNING with receiving Christ as Lord and Savior.
Then, moment by moment as we permit the Holy Spirit to be in control, or in "Lordship" of our life it becomes richer and richer.
Someone experiencing this Spirit-filled life has said that "inch by inch, it's a cinch. Mile by mile, it's a trial".
How true.
We exist physically breath by breath and heartbeat by heartbeat.
The Spirit-filled life is the same.
Jesus took us residence in our heart the moment we received Him as Savior.
Permit Him to be Lord, and the "deal is done!"
Let this truth from the lips of the apostle Paul saturate your heart and mind.
He told us how to live life to its fullest, BEGINNING with receiving Christ as Lord and Savior.
Then, moment by moment as we permit the Holy Spirit to be in control, or in "Lordship" of our life it becomes richer and richer.
Someone experiencing this Spirit-filled life has said that "inch by inch, it's a cinch. Mile by mile, it's a trial".
How true.
We exist physically breath by breath and heartbeat by heartbeat.
The Spirit-filled life is the same.
Jesus took us residence in our heart the moment we received Him as Savior.
Permit Him to be Lord, and the "deal is done!"
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Nov.. 19, 2015
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." I Tim. 6:6
This conclusion concerning life was an expression of the Apostle Paul to his young "son in the ministry, Timothy".
The origin of Paul's statement was part of the testimony of Job who stripped of this world's goods plus his own children said,"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Job. 1:21
Without doubt, this is more than a philosophy.
It is the truth, but not easy to swallow.
One obtains this faith only through steadfastly focusing on God with the sincere belief that all things do work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.
Every so often each of us needs to re-visit Job to get life in perspective.
Paul obviously did this, and the truth sustained him during many troubling times and trials.
We need a Rock to hold on to; The Rock of Ages.
This conclusion concerning life was an expression of the Apostle Paul to his young "son in the ministry, Timothy".
The origin of Paul's statement was part of the testimony of Job who stripped of this world's goods plus his own children said,"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Job. 1:21
Without doubt, this is more than a philosophy.
It is the truth, but not easy to swallow.
One obtains this faith only through steadfastly focusing on God with the sincere belief that all things do work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.
Every so often each of us needs to re-visit Job to get life in perspective.
Paul obviously did this, and the truth sustained him during many troubling times and trials.
We need a Rock to hold on to; The Rock of Ages.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Nov.18, 2015
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." I Tim. 4:2-3
As the First Century moved nearer a close the Holy Spirit caused Paul to write Timothy the words of the Bible shown above.
Of course there has never been a season when some have not drifted away from God.
But without reservation you and I have never lived in a time when Paul's prophetic words were more relevant than this very day.
Take a look at statistics concerning Christianity in America.
Compare the most recent 75 years to see a drift that is nearing a flood tide of diminishing numbers of professing Christians and "out of business" churches in what 75 years ago was the Bible Belt where brand new churches were under construction to accomodate increasing numbers of people.
The proof is astounding.
Is it enough to wake up the sleeping church?
As the First Century moved nearer a close the Holy Spirit caused Paul to write Timothy the words of the Bible shown above.
Of course there has never been a season when some have not drifted away from God.
But without reservation you and I have never lived in a time when Paul's prophetic words were more relevant than this very day.
Take a look at statistics concerning Christianity in America.
Compare the most recent 75 years to see a drift that is nearing a flood tide of diminishing numbers of professing Christians and "out of business" churches in what 75 years ago was the Bible Belt where brand new churches were under construction to accomodate increasing numbers of people.
The proof is astounding.
Is it enough to wake up the sleeping church?
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