Archive - Winter 2010

March 21, 2010
Titus 3:14

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

              One of the most powerful moments we can ever experience in our lives is the time when we hear God's instruction and engage ourselves in His work. God is always at work redeeming, providing for, healing and saving humanity. The thrill of a lifetime is ours every time that Divine purpose flows through us. God gives us the honor of being His ambassadors. The thrill truly is ours as we live closest to God in those moments when we step into His will and busy ourselves in His work.

 
       Everyday we have opportunities to be His hands and feet in the present moment. By His grace (His ability in us), we become the  redeeming voice of hope for another person; the open hand providing for the needs of a brother, the healing prescription of kindness for a broken heart; the messenger of saving grace. These are daily necessities and are always around us.

       I encourage you today; position yourself to hear God's call: be humble, merciful and hopeful. Meditate on His goodness and His promises for life. Rise and shine with that hope - making yourself available for the amazing moment when God gives you the privilege of being His minister in your world. Find where God is working and busy yourself in that work - you will be continually satisfied with the fruitfulness that comes from working with God.

 
 
February 17, 2010
Isaiah 58:10&11

... if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
       and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
       then your light will rise in the darkness,
       and your night will become like the noonday.

 11 The LORD will guide you always;
       he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
       and will strengthen your frame.
       You will be like a well-watered garden,
       like a spring whose waters never fail.

       God is so good! He openly shares all the secrets required to living the good life. Sometimes His ways are in complete conflict with human instinct. It seems purely logical that if I focus on myself I will be well cared for, yet the world is filled with unhappy self-focused people. That's no secret.

       God's remedy - turn the focus outward. Look around to those who are in need and meet those needs. God promises that those who live generous, selfless lives will flourish; they will have Divine guidance and be strong and well supplied. Now that's a promise worth pursuing.

 
February 6, 2010
II Corinthians 8:9

For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).

Always remember that God gives grace for growth. As you reach to become all you can be in Christ, remind yourself often that salvation from start to finish is the work of God, done by grace. You were saved by grace and you will be changed by grace. It's a process and He is faithful to complete it.

 
January 16, 2010
Psalm 40:16 - The Message

But all who are hunting for you—
      oh, let them sing and be happy.
   Let those who know what you're all about
      tell the world you're great and not quitting.

       Check yourself today... are you happy? Think about it; you know God loves you and He really is faithful to every detail of your life. If happiness seems to be a little out of reach right now, take the time to re-fuel and refresh that source of inner strength. Take the time to dig into the Bible and find the truth that convinces you that God is great and He loves you.

       When you go hunting for good news you are going to come out feeling good - happy! Allow yourself to be moved by the wonderful thought that He really cares and He's really there for you. Let that happiness fill your heart and flow out of your life, in praise, songs, laughter and even happy conversation as you give testimony to the goodness of God!