Commanded to Sing!
July 16th, 2008“Be not drunk with wine…be filled with the Holy Spirit…singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Thought for the day
July 6th, 2008 Questioning the actions of people
might not get us very far.
Questioning God
will give us truthful replies.
Peace.
More thoughts for the day
June 24th, 2008What you hold for yourself,
is what you get.
What you give away,
for God,
is not only what you get back
but also a hundredfold of it.
What we have isn’t our own,
but God’s.
If we tightly hold on to it,
fearing loss
God will not give us more.
It is only when we give what
God has given us away
that He grants us the
results of His promise
of provision.
Peace.
Everyone “messes up” from time to time.
Some weeks it might be a daily thing!
That’s part of being human.
Only One is perfect,
and it isn’t you nor me.
What makes a difference when you do mess up
is the way you think about it later.
Is there any good in berating yourself
after the fact? No.
Is there any good in blaming someone? No.
A good way to think about the error
is to accept that it will happen (humaness)
and also because we’re human,
we can make amends. If it’s been against
a person we erred, we can ask for forgiveness.
Something that weights the apology
is to give a thought about what you learned
from your error.
This is true even if it only involved yourself.
(Self acceptance is key.)
Even a voiced thought such as, “Well I know
not to it that way again” gives yourself (and
others?) hope and plants a good thought
for the next time.
Don’t beat yourself up
when you mess up.
Look at the situation from afar
and evaluate how you want to do that
better in the future.
Then move on.
Peace.
Another Realm
June 20th, 2008Anyone who’s ever been swimming under water can understand how it’s another world there.
The sounds from above are muffled, if you sense any at all.
Depending upon whether you have any apparatus or just holding your breath your experience will differ.
For the snorkeler or scuba diver, the experience can become surreal.
You see things you never had the chance to before,
nor imagined were there.
The lack of common sounds takes some getting used to.
The sense of weight difference is also challenging.
If you’ve chosen a good place, the colors and shapes of underwater life is exquisite
and draws much of your attention.
You learn how to appreciate things in a new way.
Going before God in prayer can be a similar experience.
Blocking out the sounds of the world and listening to
the still small voice of God within us takes practice.
Our Spirit bears witness with His, and we can appreciate this phenomena.
The peaceful nature of knowing we are before the throne of God
and not only allowed to speak our peace, but encouraged to
gives this time a special setting and sense about it.
There is much to see and know from spending time
with God in prayer.
Both experiences take place in a realm not known to all people, though available.
Next time you approach the throne, take time to realize where you are,
and appreciate what surrounds you.
Peace.
Hope and purpose
June 15th, 2008Hope restores and renews purpose.
It’s your personal responsibility
to find your purpose.
You will have a purpose in your
life, but whether it is His purpose
or another person’s, is up to you.
Prayer incubates hope.
God knows the plan he has for you.
Pray that you may find the hope.
Pray that you may find His purpose for you.
You’re that important!
June 6th, 2008Who hasn’t come across someone
who writes things on their hand
to remember them?
Perhaps you do this yourself!
Often, it’s someone’s name,
so they won’t forget it.
It’s important.
Did you know that
God has your name
written on His hand?
You’re important to Him,
and He won’t forget you.
No time like the present?
June 3rd, 2008
There is no time like the present
to be ready for meeting God.
Why put it off?
Why continue to struggle with earthly
and worldly concerns
when you can go before God
in prayer and
find relief, hope, and contentment?
No one knows when their own life will end.
If you knew, would you wait until the last
moment anyway?
Think of it this way:
So many people live in a house with
things that need fixing or replacement.
It isn’t until they decide to sell the
house that they get everything in good
repair and in good order.
Why don’t they fix it up to live in it
while they are there?
So many sellers wished they had, but often
fall into the same situation of not
keeping their house in order once they
move into the new house.
God wants you to put your house in order now,
without delay
and then enjoy the benefits of living
a blessed life through Him.
Peace.
Finding purpose
June 3rd, 2008God has a purpose for each one of us.
It’s up to us to find what it is.
The task isn’t a quick one,
and sometimes it’s difficult.
Sometimes we don’t find out
what it is until we’ve learned
many different things that
appear disconnected.
But God knows our path
and will guide our ways.
It’s up to us to keep in
touch with Him
so we stay on the right path.
Thought for today
May 31st, 2008Our minds begin as a blank slates
each early morning we awake.
We have the opportunity to fill
it with all good stuff or
with the dark stuff of the previous
day or week.
While what is past might still
remain to be addressed today
it doesn’t mean it has to take up
a majority of our “mind space.”
Keep a small part for those things,
and fill the rest of your mind
with bright, sunshiny thoughts
and ambitions, smiles and hugs,
and kind words for yourself and others.
Heavenly Rewards for the Righteous
May 24th, 2008There is a system of balances found in the Scriptures when it comes to rewards (but not to salvation which is a gift.) Quality works performed for the glory of God to win the souls of men, when tested and found genuine, will earn crowns for the faithful for all eternity. They are likened to gold, silver, and precious stones.
(Eternal life is freely bestowed upon all who believe as a gift apart from the works, and cannot be forfeited.) The crowns however, can be earned and lost, accumulated and liquidated.
At the Judgment seat of Christ, He will present a number of “crowns” for specific service: 
The Watcher’s Crown (a crown of righteousness) given to all who longingly watch for Christ’s return.
The Runner’s Crown (an incorruptible crown) for all who strive for the mastery by keeping bodily appetites under control and being temperate in all things.
The Shepherd’s Crown (a crown of glory) reserved for faithful ministers.
The Soul-winner’s Crown (a crown of rejoicing) for those who bring others to the Savior.
The Sufferer’s Crown ( a crown of Life) for those who have suffered for the sake of Christ, and the gospel.