Luke 21:10-11 (NAS)
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences, and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
I was sent an e-mail the other day asking me if I was ready for Jesus to return. They cited the current wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, famines, terrorists, floods, tornados, hurricanes, and the list goes on.
Jesus said these things would all happen before His return. But He also said that the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
What He is saying is that we are to be faithful and have patience. We are to pursue righteousness and gentleness. As He has said all along treat your neighbors as you would treat yourself, always. Keep the ten commandments every day. Pray and seek God's guidance for your life. Help those that hunger, hunger for food and for God's message.
Yes, there have been more and frequent earthquakes, more floods and hurricanes than in the past. These will continue and be more frequent. There will always be wars and rumors of wars. This has been since the beginning of time, and it will continue until man can learn to live together and love each other. And that will be when Christ returns.
So the question still remains. Am I ready? Do I keep God's Commandments? Do I seek His guidance and keep Him first and foremost in my daily life? Am I in His Word daily? Are you?
Dear Heavenly Father that you for Your promise to return and take Your children home to live with You forever. Amen.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
THE "C" WORD
Jeremiah 15:18 NAS
Why has my pain been perpetual and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Wilt Thou indeed be to me like a deceptive stream with water that is unreliable?
This morning I received an e-mail from a dear friend I hadn't heard from in quite some time. She said she had been battling cancer in her foot but lost. The doctor amputated her leg up to the knee and she is now learning how to walk with her new leg.
I lost my brother to colon cancer eight years ago, his sweet wife last year to breast cancer, a girlfriend ten years ago to ovarian cancer, and another girlfriend two years ago to breast cancer. If I sat here long enough I could probably think of a few more but these have been close to my heart.
If each one of us thought about it you could think of people you know yourself that have had that dreaded disease or have been battling it. Cancer will eat away at your body until it finally wins.
The evil one is much like cancer. He will eat away at your heart, mind, body, and soul a little at a time until he has taken all of you. Weather it is from lying, stealing, cheating, murder, or pornography. Satan revels each time he captures another soul. He starts out small, maybe a little white lie, what will that hurt? Then another and another lie ensues. Or just a peek at the dirty book, no one will know. It could be money laying around and you think I'll put it back before they know it's gone.
The only true way to keep Satan from eating at you is ask God to keep you in His hands. To keep the evil one at bay. Find strength in the Lord through prayer and reading His Word. Ask for His guidance each day. He will never let you down. That doesn't mean you will never have problems or sickness but with God's guidance and grace you can go through life with renewed peace and reassurance.
Dear Father I pray for those who do not know Your love and grace. Please be with them as they fight with the evil one. Amen.
Why has my pain been perpetual and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Wilt Thou indeed be to me like a deceptive stream with water that is unreliable?
This morning I received an e-mail from a dear friend I hadn't heard from in quite some time. She said she had been battling cancer in her foot but lost. The doctor amputated her leg up to the knee and she is now learning how to walk with her new leg.
I lost my brother to colon cancer eight years ago, his sweet wife last year to breast cancer, a girlfriend ten years ago to ovarian cancer, and another girlfriend two years ago to breast cancer. If I sat here long enough I could probably think of a few more but these have been close to my heart.
If each one of us thought about it you could think of people you know yourself that have had that dreaded disease or have been battling it. Cancer will eat away at your body until it finally wins.
The evil one is much like cancer. He will eat away at your heart, mind, body, and soul a little at a time until he has taken all of you. Weather it is from lying, stealing, cheating, murder, or pornography. Satan revels each time he captures another soul. He starts out small, maybe a little white lie, what will that hurt? Then another and another lie ensues. Or just a peek at the dirty book, no one will know. It could be money laying around and you think I'll put it back before they know it's gone.
The only true way to keep Satan from eating at you is ask God to keep you in His hands. To keep the evil one at bay. Find strength in the Lord through prayer and reading His Word. Ask for His guidance each day. He will never let you down. That doesn't mean you will never have problems or sickness but with God's guidance and grace you can go through life with renewed peace and reassurance.
Dear Father I pray for those who do not know Your love and grace. Please be with them as they fight with the evil one. Amen.
Monday, March 14, 2011
SHOW DONT' TELL
Psalm 69:6 NAS
May those who wait for Thee not be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts: May those who seek Thee not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel.
As a writer I tell other writers to show me what they are wanting to say, not tell me. It makes a better story to show someone, draw a picture, a scene, etc, rather than tell them what is going on. Sometimes I have to be reminded of that too.
As a Christian I also need to be aware that there are others watching how I live my life. God expects me to live as Christ lived his life.
I must guard my tongue against petty gossip and running down another person to make myself look better. As Jesus said I will come into temptation, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I can only be an example by reading God's word every day and asking for His help.
I must guard my eyes against all idols and anything that is detestable in God's sight. I must restrain my feet from every evil way so that I may keep God's word.
I must use my hands to help others whether in crisis or not. To give a hug when needed or a pat on the back for a job well done. I must use my ears to listen to the pain and hurt of others.
And last, but not least, my heart needs to be like the heart of Jesus Christ. Love like He loves. Forgive like He does. Through Him all things are possible. You may not feel like you can do these things but when you ask Him for His help He is there. You can do all things through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Dear Father in Heaven please hear my prayer and give me a heart for others so that I may love like You. Amen.
May those who wait for Thee not be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts: May those who seek Thee not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel.
As a writer I tell other writers to show me what they are wanting to say, not tell me. It makes a better story to show someone, draw a picture, a scene, etc, rather than tell them what is going on. Sometimes I have to be reminded of that too.
As a Christian I also need to be aware that there are others watching how I live my life. God expects me to live as Christ lived his life.
I must guard my tongue against petty gossip and running down another person to make myself look better. As Jesus said I will come into temptation, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I can only be an example by reading God's word every day and asking for His help.
I must guard my eyes against all idols and anything that is detestable in God's sight. I must restrain my feet from every evil way so that I may keep God's word.
I must use my hands to help others whether in crisis or not. To give a hug when needed or a pat on the back for a job well done. I must use my ears to listen to the pain and hurt of others.
And last, but not least, my heart needs to be like the heart of Jesus Christ. Love like He loves. Forgive like He does. Through Him all things are possible. You may not feel like you can do these things but when you ask Him for His help He is there. You can do all things through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Dear Father in Heaven please hear my prayer and give me a heart for others so that I may love like You. Amen.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
HARD-PRESSED
Phillippians 1:23 NAS
But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.
Perhaps you've heard someone say that they are hard-pressed over a situation in their life. Maybe they've lost their job and they are in distress wondering where their next dollar is going to come from. How are they going to keep a roof over the family's head and food on the table?
We hear it more and more every day about the job situation, wars and rumors of wars all over the world. No wonder people are hard-pressed with depressing news coming at them from all angles.
Then there is the unsettling weather that is hitting all over our world. Earthquakes, floods, fires, and tornados in states that have had very few of them.
Pictures on the front page of the newspaper shows the devastation after a hurricane hits the shores of the coast.
Each of us live with this news and the pictures every day, but have you thought of your eternal life. This life is only fleeting. Our eternal life is forever. Like the scripture says I am also hard-pressed from both directions. I, like everyone else, want to see my children grown, marry, and have children. I want to be part of their lives everyday and forever, but in truth I know I cannot. I will not live forever here on earth like I am now. I know I will be with my Lord and Savior when I do die and live with him forever, even coming back with Him to reign on earth. I look forward to this.
So you see my dilemma I am hard-pressed wanting to stay here but wanting to be with Jesus. In His timing I will be with Him, but for now I will enjoy my life here on earth praising Him every day for all He has given me and what I know I will have when I join Him. Praise God.
Dear Father in Heaven thank you for the many blessings you give me every day. Blessings that I get to share. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.
But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.
Perhaps you've heard someone say that they are hard-pressed over a situation in their life. Maybe they've lost their job and they are in distress wondering where their next dollar is going to come from. How are they going to keep a roof over the family's head and food on the table?
We hear it more and more every day about the job situation, wars and rumors of wars all over the world. No wonder people are hard-pressed with depressing news coming at them from all angles.
Then there is the unsettling weather that is hitting all over our world. Earthquakes, floods, fires, and tornados in states that have had very few of them.
Pictures on the front page of the newspaper shows the devastation after a hurricane hits the shores of the coast.
Each of us live with this news and the pictures every day, but have you thought of your eternal life. This life is only fleeting. Our eternal life is forever. Like the scripture says I am also hard-pressed from both directions. I, like everyone else, want to see my children grown, marry, and have children. I want to be part of their lives everyday and forever, but in truth I know I cannot. I will not live forever here on earth like I am now. I know I will be with my Lord and Savior when I do die and live with him forever, even coming back with Him to reign on earth. I look forward to this.
So you see my dilemma I am hard-pressed wanting to stay here but wanting to be with Jesus. In His timing I will be with Him, but for now I will enjoy my life here on earth praising Him every day for all He has given me and what I know I will have when I join Him. Praise God.
Dear Father in Heaven thank you for the many blessings you give me every day. Blessings that I get to share. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
