Who Are We Trusting?

Stop trusting the power of humans. They are all going to die, so how can they help?
-- Isaiah 2:22 (CEV)

In God We Trust!
Grateful

No One Was Sorry When He Died.

Can there be a sadder ending to a life, than that of King Jehoroam who became king in Jerusalem at age 32, reigned for 8 years, and died at age 40.

Here are the final words about him, so you can read and decide for yourself -- a sad ending or not?

Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. No one was sorry when he died. They buried him in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery.
-- 2 Chronicles 21:20 (NLT)

No one was sorry when he died. Sounds sad to me.

Read all of 2 Chronicles 21 and you will know why it was that...
No one was sorry when he died.

God forbid such an ending to our lives.
Grateful

Thou Art Mine, And I Am Thine.

Together, let's echo this prayer from the Covenant Service written by John and Charles Wesley:

I am no longer my own, but Thine.
Put me to what Thou wilt,
rank me with whom Thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for Thee or laid aside for Thee,
exalted for Thee or brought low for Thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things...
to Thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Thou art mine, and I am Thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

(As used in the Book of Offices of the British Methodist Church, 1936).

Click here: YouTube - "I Surrender All" The Isaacs

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

...To Think Of God Continually.

I have reached a state where it would be difficult for me not to think of God continually.
-- Brother Lawrence, a 1600's Practicer of God's Presence

Click: God be in my head - Walford Davies.

God, be in my head... continually!
Grateful

...When They Are "Older"...

Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are "older", they will not leave it.
-- Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)

God's Word Is Powerful!
Grateful

Live Constantly In His Presence...

Jesus' primary concern was to be obedient to His Father, to live constantly in His presence. Only then did it become clear to Him what His task was in His relationships with people. -- Henri Nouwen

Let's live constantly in His presence... others are depending on it.
Grateful

Horse of Course!

Just for fun...

Times they are a'changing. Today, I saw a young lady riding a horse down the middle of the road and texting on her phone at the same time.

The village I am vacationing in does have the nickname "Pony Island" but still, it really took me by surprise to say the least, and it also made me laugh once I was safely past her and the horse, of course! (I see you smiling!)

Remember the gist of Proverbs 17:22 -- Laughter is good medicine.

Count it all joy.
Grateful

Desire Only One Thing

Don't worry about anything or fear nothing. Instead desire only one thing, that you might not offend God.
-- Brother Lawrence, 1600's Practicer of God's Presence

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, Redemption.

This past Sunday I preached a message titled "The Afterglow of Pentecost -- Sanctify Me". The passage of Scripture I began with is still on my mind. May it serve to bless you today with encouragement in the One Who is our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption -- The One Called Wonderful, Jesus Christ.

(30) But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, (31) in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.
-- 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (HCSB)

We really do need God!

Holiness unto The LORD!
Grateful

"In Me..."

Christ in you, the hope of glory...
- Colossians 1:27b (NIV)

The high-point of my day was hearing the song by Casting Crowns based on Colossians 1:27. The sacred tune is titled "In Me". Oh, indeed, I've heard the song many times and the Scripture is one of my life verses, however hearing it today, lifted my soul to a whole new level of resting in my Lord.

Click: - "In Me" - Casting Crowns

These two lines really touched me deeply:

How refreshing to know You don't need me...
How amazing to find You still want me...

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

"If?"

The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with Him! Whenever you seek Him, you will find him. But if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.
-- 2 Chronicles 15:2b (NLT)

Let's Stay With God.
Grateful

Seen The Father?

Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father!
-- Words of Jesus in John 14:9b (NLT)

Our Hearts Cry, Abba, Father.
Grateful

In Every Nation God Accepts Those Who Fear Him And Do What Is Right.

28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”

30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 32 Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”

34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right."
-- Acts 10:28- 35 (NLT)

For God So Loved The World...
Grateful

Do You Still Belong To Yourself?

The biography of the life of Oswald Chambers is titled Abandoned to God. What a declaration to live by!

Oswald Chambers often used words like this in his preaching and teaching to define his own life and to challenge others concerning their lives: I have given up my right to my own life, to God.

Have I, have you, done that yet?

When we Abandon to God, God purifies our hearts by faith. We are then among God's sanctified, God's saints. A saint is simply and profoundly one who can say from a totally surrendered life-stance, I have abandoned totally to God. I am not my own at all. I belong exclusively to my God.

Have you asked Father God for the purifying, indwelling Gift of His Holy Spirit? Have you abandoned to God? Have you given up your right to your own life to God? Do you belong to God or do you still belong to yourself?

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself...
-- 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT)

Will you be crucified with Christ? Will you embrace His Cross with Him and release your life to Him?

Click here: - Crucified with Christ/Embrace The Cross/Steve Green

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

We Pray Un-Rushed? He Redeems! Rewards!

If we will take time each day to withdraw from the distractions of our too busy lives and embrace an un-rushed season of honest communion with God, we will see the Wonder-working God we pray to redeem our lives. He will redeem at least these three areas:

(1) He will make what is seemingly obsolete or useless... usable.
(2) He will make what is surely irritable or restless... restful.
(3) He will make what is sadly barren or fruitless... fruitful.

Yes, my friends, Holy God has in store for those of us who will meet him un-rushed for regular communion in the secret chamber of prayer, a reward, yes indeed, a recompense for praying.

(5) When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. (6) But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
-- Matthew 6:5-6(NLT)

We Pray Un-Rushed? He Redeems! Rewards!
Let's Pray Today, Remembering that His Presence is our Reward!
Grateful

Enjoy What You Have...

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless — like chasing the wind.
-- Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NLT)

Focus on what you have, not on what you have lost.
-- Kathleen Lee

Count it all joy. (James 1:2-4)
Grateful

I Have Been Young. Now I Am Older.

I turned 50-years-old on June 12, 2011, Pentecost Sunday. I have been young and now I am older, and what amazes me most is the faithfulness of my Father God day-by-day over the years.

Yesterday I sent this message to a dear friend, whose faith is presently on trial: God knows. God cares. God provides.

My friend sent back this message in reply: I believe it. God has never let me down.

Then I sent back to my friend this verse of Scripture:
I have been young, and now I am old,
but I have never seen a righteous person abandoned
or his descendants begging for food.
-- Psalm 37:25 (GWT)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

New Mercy

Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.
-- Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)

Click here: YouTube - Phillips Craig & Dean - New Mercy

Lord, Have Mercy.
Grateful

Pentecost: The Church is Born

The first greatest birthday ever was the birth of God's Son, Jesus, in Bethlehem. Yes, The Christ is born. The second greatest birthday ever was the birth of God's Church, at Pentecost. Yes, The Church is born.

Acts 2:1-41 from The New Living Translation of The Holy Bible:

The Holy Spirit Comes
1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

Peter Preaches to the Crowd
14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.
19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20 The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’

22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene[d] by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 25 King David said this about him:

‘I see that the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
26 No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts his praises!
My body rests in hope.
27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
28 You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’

29 “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. 31 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.

32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
35 until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”’

36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles — all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Are We Becoming The Will Of God?

...that I myself may be in them.
-- Final Seven Words of Jesus' Prayer in John 17:26 (NIV)

The disciple who abides in Jesus, is the will of God.
-- Oswald Chambers

Lord, instead of always searching for Your will as if it is a destination to reach, help us to live in Your presence as Your presence lives in us, thereby, becoming Your will presently. In Your Wonderful Name, we pray. Amen.

The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message.
-- Colossians 1:27b-28a (The Message)

Count it all joy.
Grateful

While... Asleep.

... the Lord provides for those He loves, while they are asleep.
-- Psalm 127:2b (Good News Translation)

Love Never Fails And Hope Always Prevails.
Grateful

Wise In My Own Eyes?

My God, as King Solomon requested wisdom and insight, so do I, yet, I don't want to ever be so wise in my own eyes that I would somehow tragically cease to love You, to want You, and to need You, both now, to the very end of my earthly life and for all Eternity.

(Read 1 Kings 3 for background)

God, I Love You! God, I Want You! God, I Need You!
Grateful

God's Gift To Those Who Obey Him...

...The Holy Spirit... is God's Gift to those who obey Him.
-- Acts 5:32b (Good News Translation)

Click - Holy Spirit Rain Down (worship video w/ lyrics)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

A Specific Prayer From Surrendered Hearts

Let's pray together a prayer that is a personal prayer of mine -- "A Specific Prayer From Surrendered Hearts":

Almighty Personal God... Please hear our prayer…
Free us from all fear for this day...
from all anxiety about tomorrow...
from all bitterness towards another...
from all fear in the face of danger...
from all laziness in the necessity of work...
from all failure before opportunity...
from all weakness when Your power is so available.
Please free us Lord… Free us in Your presence.

Almighty Personal God… Please hear our prayer…
Fill us with Love that knows no limit...
with Hope that knows no defeat...
with sympathy that embraces the hurting...
with courage that cannot be intimidated...
with strength adequate for life's challenges...
with loyalty that proves our devotion to You and to others...
with release to soar on the wings of eagles...
with wisdom to match life's complexities...
with peace that silences us in every storm…
with faith that sees and glows in the dark…
with Pure Joy that is deeper than surface happiness…
Please fill our lives, Lord... Fill us with Your presence.

Almighty Personal God… Please hear our prayer…
We totally surrender ourselves to You…
We give up our right to our own lives… to You…
and we gladly say "YES" to Your perfect will …
and Your Divine Way.
Our Delights and Desires find fulfillment in Your Holy Presence.
Thank You for the Gift of Your Precious Loving Son …
and Your Blessed, Abiding, Comforter, The Holy Spirit...
Today we rededicate our best, our all, our lives, to Your Glory.
In our lives Lord be glorified today.
In Your Church Lord be glorified, we pray.
We plead Your Shed Blood and Whisper Your Holy Name.
You are to us, the One called Wonderful -- Jesus our Life Savior!
Because of Your Limitless Love, Oh Lord,
We’re humbled, grateful and… speechless. Amen, Amen & Amen.

Holiness unto The LORD!
Grateful, indeed

Let's Pray For What God Promised.

We pray along with the Psalmist this prayer for our Lord's intervention on our behalf and for a new life according to His promise:

Plead my case for me, and save me.
Give me a new life as You promised.
-- Psalm 119:154 (GWT)

As we enter the secret chamber of our prayer closets to seek close communion with our Lord, let's remember four stances of the heart:

(1) Let's begin with silence.
(2) Let's speak with simplicity.
(3) Let's listen in humility.
(4) Let's wait in expectation of His presence.

In The Name of Jesus. Amen.
Grateful

Lord, Be My Life Or I Will Be Lost.

(13) “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. (14) But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."
-- Words of Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

Jesus, I believe that knowing You is the narrow gateway to Life. I don't want You to merely be a part of my life, or even the center of my life, or just first place in my life. I WANT YOU TO BE MY LIFE! Lord, be my Life or I will be lost. Amen.

Love God. Life Together. Light The World!
Grateful

A Rich Man And Lazarus

Have you considered the New Testament story that Jesus told about A Rich Man and Lazarus lately?

Here it is. I'd love to receive your comments after reading it afresh and anew:

(19) “There was a rich man who wore expensive clothes. Every day was like a party to him. (20) There was also a beggar named Lazarus who was regularly brought to the gate of the rich man’s house. (21) Lazarus would have eaten any scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Lazarus was covered with sores, and dogs would lick them. (22) “One day the beggar died, and the angels carried him to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. (23) He went to hell, where he was constantly tortured. As he looked up, in the distance he saw Abraham and Lazarus. (24) He yelled, ‘Father Abraham! Have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool off my tongue. I am suffering in this fire.’ (25) “Abraham replied, ‘Remember, my child, that you had a life filled with good times, while Lazarus’ life was filled with misery. Now he has peace here, while you suffer. (26)Besides, a wide area separates us. People couldn’t cross it in either direction even if they wanted to.’ (27) “The rich man responded, ‘Then I ask you, Father, to send Lazarus back to my father’s home. (28) I have five brothers. He can warn them so that they won’t end up in this place of torture.’ (29) “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets. Your brothers should listen to them!’ (30) “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! If someone comes back to them from the dead, they will turn to God and change the way they think and act.’ (31) “Abraham answered him, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone comes back to life.’ ”
-- Luke 16:19-31 (God's Word Translation)

Sobering Story,
Grateful

Unload On God. Hurl Your Cares On Him.

God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
-- 1 Peter 5:7 (CEV)

Unload on Him all your cares.
-- 1 Peter 5:7 (French Translation Bible)

Hurling all your cares upon Him.
-- 1 Peter 5:7 (Greek)

Happy is the soul that is not uneasy.

My Lord, help me to be always trusting with my mind fastened on You. I don't ever want to be troubled thinking You don't care for me. I want to be anxious about nothing, but continuously believing that You are totally trustworthy, yes, that You care for me at all times and in all circumstances of life. Indeed, I desire to live by faith and to die in faith. In Jesus' name. Amen.

During our Bible School days, 1992-1994, my wife, Kim, and I raised our then small children on this family theme song from 1 Peter 5:7. We often sang it during trying times. It brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it still:

Click here: - I Cast All My Cares Upon Him | Maranatha Kids

ALL JOY! no fear!
Grateful

Wonderful Words of New Life in Psalm 119

Today, I invite to join with me in praying to our Life-Giving God these Wonderful Words of New Life recorded in Psalm 119:

Psalm 119:154b (GWT) -- ...Give me a new life as You promised.

Psalm 119:156b -- (GWT) ...Give me a new life guided by Your regulations.

Psalm 119:159b -- (GWT) ...O Lord, in keeping with Your mercy, give me a new life.

Psalm 119:168b -- (GWT) ...my whole life is in front of You.

Psalm 119:175a -- (GWT) Let my soul have new life so that it can praise You.

In the Name of the One Who said, "I Am... The Life!" (John 14:6)
Amen and Amen.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Snatch Them From The Flames. Hating Sins.

A pastor friend of mine, Kris, recently shared with me this Call to Remain Faithful from the brief but powerful words recorded in the New Testament Book of Jude:

(17) But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. (18) They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. (19) These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. (20) But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, (21) and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. (22) And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. (23) Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
-- Jude 1:17-23 (NLT)

Holiness Unto the LORD!
Grateful