Sharing God's Goodness January 31, 2016

Hebrews 13:16-21     16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

Benediction and Final Greetings

20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Thought for today:  God gives us opportunities to share and is pleased when we extend kindness to others. Today we can reach out to people in simple ways — a phone call, a hug, or a kind word. By doing good and sharing with others, we show our gratitude for God’s love and mercy.

You might be the only God that people can see or read….how are you representing God?

Summer Camp January 30, 2016

Ephesians 4:29-5:2     29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)     Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

At the end of the day, it is beneficial to swallow our pride and ask for forgiveness. God grants us forgiveness every day. How then can we withhold forgiveness from one another?

Thought for today: What is the “superglue” (root cause) for your grudges? 

Spiritual Lives January 29, 2016

Hebrews 12:1-3     Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)     Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Thought for today: Do I need to be more aware of my spiritual life? Do I read my Bible daily and spend time with other believers and spiritual people? Does my love for God show in my words and actions? Are my thoughts fixed on Jesus? Do I remember to thank God as well as making requests? These and other concerns will lead each of us to greater spiritual health.

God's Calm January 28, 2016

Psalm 121:1-8     A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Psalm 46:1 (NRSV)     God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Whenever we feel trapped in a hopeless situation, praying can bring help — first by calming us down so that we can think and see clearly. This may help us to see other ways to solve our problems or other sources of help. Given time and patience, the problems may resolve themselves. Instead of giving in to panic, we can ask God for the insights or answers we need to deal with the situation.

Thought for today: can you find your peace in prayer? What stops you from doing so?

First Impressions January 27, 2016

James 2:1-5     My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

 John 7:24 (NIV)   Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.

In 1 Samuel 16:7, we are reminded that God “looks at the heart.” Perhaps if we took the time to look a little closer at those we judge on first impressions, we might better be able to do just that.

Thought for today: How and why do you allow judgments to prevent you from enjoying the fullness of God?

Second Sunday of Advent January 26, 2016

Romans 8:26-31     26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

When things don’t turn out the way we plan, we can become frustrated and scared. But if we devote ourselves to living faithfully, acknowledging that God is with us, we will be uplifted and strengthened. God’s care for us is real and everlasting in any circumstance life brings.

Thought for today: Luck? Karma? or unwavering , steadfast faith? What do you trust in?

Open Hearts January 25, 2016

Philippians 4:4-8     4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Paul wrote, “I pray that . . . Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”- Ephesians 3:16-17 (NRSV)

Thought for today:  Where is you focus - What are you rooted in? 

Experiencing God's Love January 24, 2016

1 Peter 1:3-9     3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.- 1 John 3:1 (NRSV)

Thought for today: Can people recognize your kinship? What traits do you display?

Rescued January 23, 2016

Psalm 18:16-19     16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
    from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
    but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
    he rescued me because he delighted in me.

The psalmist wrote, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.” - Psalm 18:16 (NIV)

Thought for today:   Do you remember your drowning experience?  What have you done with your life since your rescue?

A Lesson from my Inbox January 22, 2016

1 Corinthians 9:24-27     24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

We call blessed those who showed endurance.  - James 5:11 (NRSV)

Thought for today: Are you easily discouraged? What drives you thoughts to seek immediate gratification?

Be the Light January 21. 2016

John 1:1-9    1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.

Thought for today: Are you reflecting the light or are you throwing shade?

God’s Faithful January 20, 2016

Nehemiah 9:17b      They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them.

After the reading of God’s Word and the recounting of all of the promises of God, the people praised the Lord for not abandoning them even though time and time again they had been rebellious. Even when the Israelites worshipped idols, the Lord never deserted them. There were consequences for their disobedience and the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years.

But all the time in the desert, God instructed them, provided food and water, and gave them clothes that did not wear out. (9:20-21) God is faithful to us even when we forsake Him, even when we turn to our “idols” of money, pride, or success. There are consequences for us as well when we turn away from the Lord. Our sins separate us from God and keep us from walking in the fullness of the promises of God. The Lord, however, never forsakes us because of His compassion. (v.19) He longs for us to turn back to Him so that we do not have to suffer further consequences.

Thought for today: What separates you from God? What do you allow to make you deaf and blind to his purpose and will for you?

Prosperity Planning January 19, 2016

Jeremiah 29:11-14      “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.

Jeremiah the prophet speaks words of hope to the Israelites in exile. They must have wondered if God had forsaken them as they found themselves in captivity in a foreign country. Jeremiah told them that after

70 years were completed, He would come to them and fulfill His promise to return them to their homeland. We know from history that the Israelites returned to Jerusalem after 70 years, and they rebuilt their temple and restored their city. The Lord reminds His people through Jeremiah that He has a plan and purpose for them – plans that included a hope for the future. He knew that the Israelites would once again call on Him and He would hear their cry and deliver them.

Thought for today:  Does your questioning and doubt prevent you from seeing and acting on God’s plan?  Do you allow doubt to keep you imprisoned?

Continuing Your Journey January 18, 2016

Philippians 2:12     Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

God is challenging you to continue in your spiritual journey of transformation. The Holy Spirit will continue His work daily in your life, forming the image of Christ in the heart of your life. Paul told his friends in Philippi that they must continue to work out their salvation. He knew how easy it was to become discouraged, give up, or even become lazy in their spiritual growth. Paul reminded them that God was working His purposes in them and that it would require their diligence in obedience to press on in their spiritual journey as they responded to God’s grace.

Thought for the day:  What are you doing to strengthen your faith? Do you attend church services to be spoon fed or are you actively participating in your maturation process?

God’s Love January 17, 2016

Roman’s 8:37- 39     37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My child’s feelings are hurt. I tell her she’s special.

My child is injured. I do whatever it takes to make her feel better.

My child is afraid. I don’t rest until she feels secure.

I am by no means a hero or a saint…I am assuming the role of a parent. When a child hurts, a parent does what comes naturally. He/she helps!

Thought for the day: Do I allow God to parent me?  Why or why not?

Patience January 16, 2016

Romans 5:3-5     3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Thank God that He is infinitely more patient with us than we are with ourselves. We assume that is we slip and fall, we’re out of His grace and mercy. If we stumble we aren’t walking within His will and that there must be something wrong with us….

Grace and mercy are balm for the slips and falls. We will continue to have the old “fleshly desires” but we must begin to practice the new knowledge….the more you practice the new the more distant the old thinking becomes.

Thought for the day: Do you automatically go to the old thoughts? Do you find yourself thinking about what you should have said or done in situations that involve conflict or discomfort? Is your ego so fragile that you have to point out the character defects and flaws in others?

Strength January 15, 2016

Matthew 11:28- 30     28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

An extraordinary example of faith was found carved into a wall of a concentration camp; a prisoner had carved the words:

I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine.

I believe in love, even when it isn’t shown

I believe in God, even when he doesn’t speak

Thought for the day: Do you have faith that stretches beyond your present circumstance?

Truth January 14, 2016

Psalm 19: 7- 9

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

Father, thank you for your truth.

Help me to see what is important, what is eternal and what is enduring. Help me to put your timeless and perfect truths into practice.

Thought for the day: Do you find yourself stuff in a cycle of behaviors? Can you make the distinction between God’s truth versus the temporal truth?

What truth do you seek?

Hope January 13, 2016

Psalm 33:16, 18-20     No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

It’s hard to watch things grow old, loved ones namely. I watched my mom, who was my superman, slow down, memory not so sharp, failing eyes and limited mobility. I wish I could see her spy and multitasking again…it’s a hard thing to accept that I am limited in my ability to help.

I can’t make it all new but God can “he restoreth my soul” wrote the shepherd. He doesn’t cover up the old with a façade; he restores to new. He is the Master Builder. He will restore the vigor. He will restore the strength. He will restore the hope. He will restore the soul!

We were never promised that this world would be easy….yet, we can all look to the city that’s set on a hill, to the lights and hope that call us to eternity.

Love January 12, 2016

1 Corinthians 13:4-7      Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The single most difficult pursuit in life is truth and love.

I know I just offended some of you grammarians with the structure of that opening sentence but let me explain why the structure is correct…

Love is a difficult pursuit

Truth is just as difficult…

But when we put them both together, pursuing truth and love at the same time, you better hang on to the rope because you’re about to be bucked for the ride of your life.

Love in truth; truth in love…you cannot extricate the two and you can never have one at the expense of the other. Never embrace a love without truth. Never stand in the heat of truth without the warmth of love. To pursue both should be a singular task.

Contentment January 11, 2016

1 Timothy 6- 6-10      Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Like the Rolling Stones, we can’t get no satisfaction….

We take a vacation of a lifetime and before the thing is over we’re already planning another and dreading returning back to our routines.

We are not satisfied….teenagers walk around saying “if only I were an adult.” And adults are longing to be carefree kids. Single people want to be married and married people are dropping their commitments left and right.

Stop looking at the world for satisfaction….if it were there don’t you think someone would have found it by now?  Are you too caught up in the hype to see that the world will continue to try to sell you the NEXT BEST THING! How do you correct your vision to see the things of God?

Faith January 10, 2016

2 Corinthians 4:8 – 9       we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;…

Faith is the trust that God is a very real entity and that He is good. Faith is the trust and the choice to believe that the one who has made it all has not abandoned His creation and that he still sends light into the shadows as a beacon of hope and a signal to continue on in faith.

Faith is knowing that God will come through- knowing the more dire the circumstances the more likely the salvation.

When is the last time you trusted God to the point of your breaking? 

Courage January 9, 2016

Isiah 41:10, 13     So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Could you use some courage? Are you backing down more than you are standing up?

We need to remember that the disciples were common men who were assigned compelling tasks. Before they were held up and canonized they were somebody’s next door neighbor or fishing buddy.

Fleshly fears are no fears at all when you learn to trust God! 

Supernatural strength January 8, 2016

Isaiah 40: 28- 31     28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 

30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 

31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Thought for today: Is your hope rooted or do you indulge in childish “magical” thinking (wishes) without work? How do you regroup, revitalize, recharge?

Friendship January 7, 2016

Proverbs 17:17      A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Thought for today: have you ever been brave enough to examine your friendships? Have you dare to access why certain people are in your life and whether they enhance or hinder?  Have you been brave enough to ask if you’re a user?

Indulging January 6, 2016

Psalm 34:8     Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Thought for today:  Describe your faith/ spirituality/ relationship with God; can you say that it fits the criteria of a relationship or are you more of a casual acquaintance? 

Seeking God January 5, 2016

Psalm 27: 4      One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Thought for today:  What is your practice for seeking God? Do you diligently seek Him or do you only pray and meditate in times of trouble/need?

Spiritual Planning January 4, 2016

Jeremiah 29: 11     For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Thought for today:  How do you determine and then align yourself with God’s plan for you?

Integrity January 3, 2016

Proverbs 10:9     Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

Thought for today: Do/can you trust God?

Where have you gotten off the path?

What do you need to do to get back on the path ?

The Lord’s Prayer - January 2, 2016

Matthew 6:9-10New International Version (NIV)

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.

Thought’s for your day: How is God hallowed in your life?

Can you wait on God and His will to be fulfilled?

New Year January 1, 2016

Happy New Year folks  !!!

2016 is upon us; I personally am stopping to thank the Lord for life and health for another tomorrow. 2015 presented some major trials and challenges for me….but as the word says… 2 Timothy 1:7     For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. I didn’t achieve all the goal that I set for myself but I don’t consider that a loss…I know I did better than I had the year before so I celebrate that victory.

As we go forward, I want to challenge you to help build the email/blog chain by sharing a friends email address or having them contact me so I can sign them up so we can support and teach each other on this faith walk/recovery journey.

Please note that I’ve change the format this year – not a lot of reading but more questions for personal development …..

I am wishing you all of God’s blessing and lessons for 2016

Pax Christi

KB