You Must Get Rid Of The Sin!

...you must get rid of the sin that is ruining your lives.
-- Jeremiah 4:3 (NET)

Lord, as this old year gives way to the new one, help us to know that the best example of "out with the old and in with the new" is when we choose to rid ourselves of our sin that ruins our lives and to clothe ourselves with Your righteousness that renews our souls. In Jesus' name. Amen.

What can wash away my sin? NOTHING..... but the Blood of Jesus!

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Don't Be Discouraged By The Way Things Appear

Lord, help me to trust in you and in what you are doing and can do and not be discouraged by the way things can appear.
-- A Young Believer named Jessica from Bulgaria

Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.
-- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (GWT)

Click here: We Still Believe/Kathryn Scott/Hard To Watch Faith Video

Live By Faith! Die In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Beer & Wine Are For Those Who Have Lost All Hope.

With the New Year approaching and all of the so-called "celebrations" on the horizon just ahead of us, I thought I would take a moment and just wave the warning lantern in hopes of helping some who read this post to minimize future regrets. Straight from the Bible, these are the words I share about the dangers of promiscuity and alcohol consumption:

What King Lemuel's Mother Taught Him

(1) These are the sayings that King Lemuel of Massa was taught by his mother. (2) My son Lemuel, you were born in answer to my prayers, so listen carefully. (3) Don't waste your life chasing after women! This has ruined many kings. (4) Kings and leaders should not get drunk or even want to drink. (5) Drinking makes you forget your responsibilities, and you mistreat the poor. (6) Beer and wine are only for the dying or for those who have lost all hope. (7) Let them drink and forget how poor and miserable they feel.
-- Proverbs 31:1-7 (CEV)

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Come Back To Me For Sin's Cure

Come back to Me, you wayward people. I want to cure your waywardness. Say, "Here we are. We come to You because You are the Lord our God."
-- Jeremiah 3:22 (NET)

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.
-- 1 John 1:7 (NLT)

Lord, I give thanks because You not only sent Your Son to forgive me of my sins, yes to wash away my sinful deeds and evil actions, but You also gave Your Son to cure me of my Sin. Yes, by His Blood, Jesus also came to cleanse me of my sinful disposition and egotistical attitude. Let me never forget that Your amazing grace is not only a covering for my sins, but also a power that cures me of Sin. Thanks for being willing to give Your precious life's Blood to cleanse me of what was killing me, Sin. Yes, You in essence became Sin, Who knew no Sin, so I could become Your righteousness. You gave Your wonderful life to cure me of my waywardness. In the Name of Jesus, I accept Your cure and I am forever grateful. Amen.

Click here: Nothing But The Blood - Matt Redman - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Turn To Me Before You Are In Trouble

Yes, they have turned away from Me instead of turning to Me.
Yet when they are in trouble, they say, ‘Come and save us!’
-- From Jeremiah 2:27 (NET)

Lord, help us to turn to You everyday all-the-time. Yes, not just when the days grow dim, but also during the days of delight give us a desire to look to You. Give us a hunger to know You intimately in every instance, not just when we are in trouble. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

The Saddest Day Of The Year? December 26.

In C.S Lewis' Land of Narnia language, one line is so very sad:
It was always winter, but Christmas never came.

If you know me, you know that I really love Christmas. In many ways, as I look ahead, Christmas is that most wonderful time of the year that helps get me through each winter, and even through each day on the calendar for that matter. Yes, day-after-day and year-after-year, I personally look forward to the whole Christmas Advent season. In fact, from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas at midnight, I feel most alive as a human being. And, so, it's obvious, I'm sure, that Christmas Day is my most favorite day on the calendar.

In this same way, my daughter is surely her daddy's child. Last night, Christmas Night, I sent my daughter a message after she had arrived back at her home having spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with us. I said, "Merry Christmas. Only 55 minutes of Christmas 2011 left." Her message back to me was, "The day after Christmas is the saddest day of the year." I agree. I know you can get-all-spiritual on me and tell me "why the day after Christmas should not be the saddest day of the year". Still, I agree with my daughter, in that, emotionally speaking, because after awaking on the day after Christmas we are the very farthest we can be from the next Christmas Day, December 26 has to be, hands down, the saddest day of the year. So, for my daughter and her daddy, the case is closed. We just accept the fact and begin focusing forward to, you got it, December 25 again.

Still, on this morning after Christmas Day, I have been thanking God that, for us, "it is not always winter" and especially I am most grateful that "Christmas always comes where we live". So, my emotions are encouraged because in *364 more days, Lord willing, that most wonderful day of the year will come again. (* Actually 365 more days since 2012 is a leap year and has 366 days. Oh, well.)

Some say, "Christmas? It's just another day". To which I totally disagree, because Christmas Day is not just another day. Christmas is "The Day" that we celebrate The Birth of Hope. Yes, on Christmas Day, Hope was born in Bethlehem so we could get through all of the other days on planet earth, until someday we see the face of our King Jesus. Then He will take us to His Heavenly Home, where I have absolutely no doubt that it will be like CHRISTMAS ALL-THE-TIME, YES CHRISTMAS DAY EVERYDAY!

As Christmas 2011 is becoming an evaporating memory in our rear view mirrors, I think it would be good to share together in one more upbeat Christmas Carol. Click below and give thanks for Christmas Day and especially for The Christ Child.

Click here: Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord - Boney M - YouTube

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful

The Bethlehem Boy Brings Beautiful Joy!

BE BEAUTIFULLY BLESSED AT CHRISTMASTIME & BEYOND!

Shepherds watching… Night falling…

Angel appearing… Glory glowing…

Shepherds shaking… Good News given…

Great Joy promised… Bethlehem honored…

Shepherds humbled… Angels announcing…

Glory heightened… Peace resting…

Shepherds excited… Angels exiting…

Baby entering… Mary treasuring…

Shepherds returning… Shepherds glorifying…

Shepherds praising… Shepherds telling,

Dark ages are history! Light years are here!

THE BETHLEHEM BOY BRINGS BEAUTIFUL JOY!

Click here: Sarah McLachlan "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" - YouTube

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Grateful

Silver And Gold

The silver is mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of hosts.
-- Haggai 2:8 (ESV)

Click here: Silver & Gold - YouTube -- Burl Ives

MERRY CHRISTMAS.... Deo Volente (Whatever God Wants)!
Grateful

Whose Are You?

Finally, my dear friends, be glad that you belong to the Lord.
-- From Philippians 3:1 (CEV)

Click here: Larnelle Harris Live - I Can Be Glad - YouTube

These seven words from 2 Timothy 2:19. encourage my soul:
The Lord knows those who are His...

I am not my own. I belong to Christ!
Grateful

Who Can Be Trusted?

I alone am the God Who can be trusted.
-- From Isaiah 65:16 (CEV)

Today, Lord, we know as we place all of our trust in You, that Your mercies are renewed towards us. As new challenges arise on the horizons of our lives, encourage our hearts in knowing that Your compassions are also replenishing on our behalf. It's true, on Christ The Solid Rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Amen.

Click here: On Christ the Solid Rock - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

The Only God -- There Is None Like You

You are the only God ever seen or heard of who works miracles for His followers.
-- Isaiah 64:4 (CEV)

Click here: I Worship You, Almighty God (There is none like you)- Sondra Corbett - YouTube

My Dad and I are in the waiting room at the hospital. Not a favorite place to be at Christmastime, but we sense God's favor anyway.

Mom had hip surgery on Monday after she missed the bottom step coming down the stairs Sunday morning at 6 a.m. She thought her pain was only her arthritis, but later in the day after an ambulance ride to the Emergency Room, we learned her hip was indeed fractured. Recovery and rehabilitation are underway now. Her pain has been intense.

Dad and I are interceding in quiet prayer as the nurses are attempting to get Mom on her feet in her room. When I sat down, I plugged in my computer to listen to God's Word through my ear phones. I glanced over at Dad and he had the Gideon's Holy Bible open in his hand. Like his Mother, my Granny Margery, Dad whispers audibly when he reads "silently". Seeing my Dad whispering God's Word as I listen to God's Word warms my heart. We have no one else to turn to but God. And, we need no one else.

Our God, You are The Only God. There is None Like You! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD!

Grateful

Our Hero Has Won The Battle

Who is this Hero marching in His glorious uniform? "It's Mme, the LORD! I have won the battle, and I can save you!"
-- From Isaiah 63:1 (CEV)

Holiness unto The LORD!
Grateful

Mind-Reader

God can read your mind. He watches each of us and knows our thoughts.
-- From Proverbs 24:12 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Days of Sorrow Will End

I, the LORD, will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will come to an end.
-- Isaiah 60:20b (CEV)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

It's Still The Greatest Story Ever Told

I must have inherited my love for Christmas music from my mother, Melba. I can still remember when I was a boy growing up in her presence and hearing her sing as she went about her housework. It's a wonderful heart-warming memory, especially hearing her sing Christmas music.

Last night Mom and Dad came to spend a few days with us. They are in their seventies now. I am humbled that they would drive 400-plus miles to spend time with us during this season of the year. As we talked last evening, eventually, the topic turned to, you guessed it, Christmas music.

Mom asked if I had ever heard the Christmas Song titled, "It's Still the Greatest Story Ever Told?" I had not heard it, but after searching on YouTube, I found it and played it for all of us to hear. It's a beautiful Christmas Song, indeed. And yes, Christmas, the story of Christ coming from Heaven to earth to save us from our sins, is still the greatest story ever told.

Listen for yourself:
Click here: Gaither Vocal Band - It's Still The Greatest Story Ever Told

Here are the written lyrics:

A woman and an angel, a promise and a song.
A word too grand for any mind to hold.
A tax law and a journey, a stable and some straw.
These tell the greatest story ever told.

Oh sing glory in the highest, He is come our great Messiah.
Come bow before this awesome mystery.
Mighty God and fragile baby, here a lowly manger holds.
And it's still the greatest story ever told.

A hillside and some shepherds, a blaze of blinding light.
Angels singing carols in the cold.
Eternal revelation to men as dull as stone.
The glorious, greatest story ever told.

Oh sing glory in the highest, He is come our great Messiah.
Come bow before this awesome mystery.
Mighty God and fragile baby, here a lowly manger holds.
And it's still the greatest story ever told.

Oh sing glory in the highest, He is come our great Messiah.
Come bow before this awesome mystery.
Mighty God and fragile baby, here a lowly manger holds.
And it's still the greatest story ever told.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

What It Really Means To Worship The Lord

(6)I'll tell you what it really means to worship the LORD. Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused! (7) Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relatives. (8) Then your light will shine like the dawning sun, and you will quickly be healed. Your honesty will protect you as you advance, and the glory of the LORD will defend you from behind. (9) When you beg the LORD for help, He will answer, "Here I am!"
-- Isaiah 58:6-9 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

"I Am Here to Help!" -- Our Holy God

(15) Our Holy God lives forever in the highest heavens, and this is what He says: Though I live high above in the holy place, I am here to help those who are humble and depend only on me."
-- Isaiah 57:15 (CEV)

Click here: He is Here - Gaither Vocal Band - YouTube

Holiness unto the LORD!
Grateful

God Is Near. Breathe.

(6) Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. (7) Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the LORD our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins.
-- Isaiah 55:6-7 (CEV)

Click here: Michael W Smith - Breathe w/lyrics - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Greedy, Indecent, Immoral.

Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure that people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.
-- Ephesians 5:5 (CEV)

Lord, I want to be generous, not greedy.
I want my life to be sacred, not indecent.
And please make me holy, lest I be immoral.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Who Are You Counting On And Longing For?

(5) I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on Him.
I have put my hope in His word.
(6) I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
-- Psalm 130:5-6 (NLT)

Click here: O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Daves Highway 2011

Lord, Your Presence is the Promise that demands my desires.
I love You, Lord, because You first loved me.
In Jesus' name. Amen

Lord, I want to know You more and more and more...
Grateful

When Others Insult You?

Don't be discouraged when others insult you and say hurtful things.

-- Isaiah 51:7 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The Lord!
Grateful

The Way Things Can Appear

It's 2:30 a.m. or so where I live and these thoughts I've heard and read are wondrously keeping me awake:

Lord, help me to trust in you and in what you are doing and can do and not be discouraged by the way things can appear.
-- Jessica, Bulgaria

For we walk by faith, not by sight...
-- 2 Corinthians 5;7 (KJV)

Click here: Rich Mullins: The just shall live - YouTube

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

P.S. Good Night! Indeed!

You Made God's Love Disappear.

I have never heard a more direct-to-the-heart and power-packed question and answer than when I recently heard this question and answer recorded in God's Word:

If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.
-- 1 John 3:17 (MSG)

Lord, don't let me allow Your Love to disappear in my circles of influence.
Grateful

Humbled. Overwhelmed. At Peace.

Tonight, as I was entering our local church sanctuary to be joyously blessed by The Annie Moses Band as they performed almost two hours of Christmas music during this glorious Advent Season, I found myself praying this rest-filled prayer:

Lord, I am humbled because of Your new mercy.
I am overwhelmed because of Your amazing grace.
I am at peace because of Your abiding presence.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

Click here: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Annie Moses Band

A Mighty and Merry Christmas To You!
Grateful

Stop Living Stupid. Be Truly Holy.

(17) As a follower of the Lord, I order you to stop living like stupid, godless people. (18) Their minds are in the dark, and they are stubborn and ignorant and have missed out on the life that comes from God. They no longer have any feelings about what is right, (19) and they are so greedy that they do all kinds of indecent things. (20-21) But that isn't what you were taught about Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and you heard about Him and learned about Him. (22) You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. (23) Let the Spirit change your way of thinking (24) and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please Him and be truly holy.
-- Ephesians 4:17-24 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

You Won't Be Disappointed If...

I am the LORD. You won't be disappointed if you trust Me.
-- Isaiah 49:23b (CEV)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Graterful

He Was Here Before Time Began! He Is!

Come closer and listen! I have never kept secret the things I have said, and I was here before time began.
-- God's Claim in Isaiah 48:16 (CEV)

Click here: Aaron Jeoffrey--"He Is" - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Hearts United

(2b) Patiently put up with each other and love each other. (3) Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace.
-- Ephesians 4:2b-3 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

You Felt... You... Were In Control?

(10) You hid behind evil like a shield and said, "No one can see me!" You were fooled by your wisdom and your knowledge; you felt sure that you alone were in full control.
-- Isaiah 47:10 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

When You Are Old And Gray

(3) You survivors in Israel, listen to Me, the LORD. Since the day you were born, I have carried you along. (4) I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you. I created you. I will carry you and always keep you safe. (5) Can anyone compare with Me? Is anyone My equal?
-- Isaiah 46:3-5 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

The Messiah May Dwell In Your Hearts

(16) I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love...
-- Ephesians 3:16-17 (HCS)

Cast out our sin and enter in. Be born in us today.
-- O Little Town of Bethlehem

Click here: Sarah McLachlan "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful