EVERY Knee June 30, 2017

Zechariah 14:9 (NIV)

9 The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus taught us to pray for the day that the LORD would be The recognized King over all the earth. We look forward to that, because our faith will be shown true and the LORD himself will be glorified as he should be. In a world of profanity, a world where God's name is blasphemed, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is not only LORD Yahweh, but he is also incomparable without rival, that his name is the only name worthy of reverence, honor, and praise.

Thought for today: Is the Lord first in my life?

Purpose June 29, 2017

Psalm 138:8 (NIV)

8 The Lord will vindicate me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever—
    do not abandon the works of your hands.

God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives. The greatest thing we can do is to find that purpose and live it out. We can trust his purpose for us because it is based on his wisdom and love. As long as we seek his will, we're not going to do anything that can ultimately mess up his purpose for us. Yes, we may at times stray from the perfect channel he wants us to travel, but we never get totally out of the main channel. As long as we do not abandon him, and remember he will never forsake us, he will use us for his purposes.

Thought for today: Am I working on or within my purpose?

The Promise Keeper June 28, 2017

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Maranatha — O Lord come! This cry of the early church, especially during times of trial, persecution, and difficulty must be tempered with the reminder that there is a lost world around us — many of whom are dear friends and family. Our passion for the Lord's coming must be equaled by our passion to share his grace with those who have not "come to repentance" and have not changed their lives to serve the Lord who died to bring them life. Until he comes, let's commit to do his work of bringing others to repentance and salvation in him.

Thought for today: Do I put my all into my service?

The Key To Life June 27, 2017

Matthew 16:25 (NIV)

25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

The key to life is letting go of ourselves and welcoming Jesus and his will into our lives. Please don't forget to relinquish your life to the one who gave up his own life for you. You see, he took it back up again, just so that when we lose our life to him, we can have it back forever with him.

Thought for today: Am I truly in communion?

Getting Even June 26, 2017

Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)

18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Hanging on to bitterness and keeping alive grudges is consuming work. It leaves little energy for blessing others, praising God, or enjoying life. The only way to get over a bitter heart toward others is to actively love and serve them in ways that bless their lives. If we can't do this because it's hard to feel like it is the right thing to do, we do it because we know God and want to please him!

Thought for today: Can I let go and let God?

Seeking June 25, 2017

Jeremiah 23:24 (NIV)

24 Who can hide in secret places
    so that I cannot see them?”
declares the Lord.
    “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
declares the Lord.

There is no hiding from God, but for those who willingly and joyously seek him, there is comfort, power, and hope in knowing his presence is ever with us.

Thought for today: Do I set time aside for God?

Protection June 24, 2017

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

It's amazing to me how Satan knows our "silver bullet sins" — those sins that can especially wound and disable us from the work of Christ. Commit in your heart to ask God to protect you, your family, and one other person (you'll silently and daily support in prayer) from the attacks of the evil one.

Thought for today: Do I pray for others on a regular basis?

Walk In Victory June 23, 2017

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

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.

It is easy for us to live victoriously for the Lord when we soar on the wings of eagles. It can be exciting when we run and don't grow weary in the work of the Lord, buoyed by his power and presence. But it often takes heroes to keep walking and not faint when trying times come. Keep on walking brother and sister. The Lord is there when you most fear he has forgotten you!

Thought for today: Do I give up easily?

Lease On Life June 22, 2017

Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)

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.

Our lives are not lived out on our own, alone. The Lord is with us personally. He holds our future and our safety in his hands. Our deliverance is assured, either deliverance from death which means service to him, or deliverance to him through death which means freedom from the constraints of mortality and the battle with sin. The Lord will keep us from all harm!

Thought for today: Do I acknowledge my delivery? Unsure of the question read the post again)

Shelter June 21, 2017

Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

How good it is to be as close to God as his shadow and to share in the comfort of his sheltering presence. He is not far if our hearts choose to draw near him. Let's choose to draw near!

Thought for today: How close am I ?

Profit? June 20, 2017

Mark 8:36 (NIV)

36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

We chase after so many different things. Only one thing is needful. Having a fist full of dollars, a great estate, and lots of prestige doesn't mean a whole lot if you've gone to your ultimate address without the Lord. Even worse is to find that in the middle of your busy-ness, you awake to find yourself in the barren land where Christ does not dwell and life is not found. Let's not lose our life, our soul, our meaning, chasing after what is not lasting.

Thought for today: Do I believe that money buys peace?

Service June 19, 2017

Ephesians 5:25-26 (NIV)

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

For husbands, there is sacrificial love in our purpose and purpose in our sacrifice. We give up ourselves to love our wives. Jesus is our example here, and he gave up everything. His purpose? To make us holy and beautiful to God. Our motives are to be equally as sacrificial and pure in surrendering our rights to bless and love our wives. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:21, we too are to submit, but this does not mean spinelessness, it means service and sacrifice to bless and bring glory to Christ.

Thought for today: Am I serving in sacrifice and with purpose?

Keeping It Cool June 18, 2017

Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Mothers have such an inside road with children that it is interesting that God commands fathers to be about the work of spiritual nurture. I don't believe he means to exclude mothers. No, I think he assumes they'll do their part. But the father's influence and intentional training is so essential.

Thought for today: Am I doing my part in training?

Pure Faith June 17, 2017

Psalm 68:4-5 (NIV)

4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
    extol him who rides on the clouds;
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
    is God in his holy dwelling.

I can't help but think of what James, Jesus' brother said: "Pure religion, undefiled before God the Father is this: keep oneself undefiled and care for orphans and widows in their distress." Jesus showed clearly this was the Father's heart in his ministry. Now it is up to us to continue it!

Thought for today: Is my faith pure?

Respect and Compassion June 16, 2017

Psalm 103:13 (NIV)

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

Compassion. Not pity, not anger, not shame, not impatience, not intolerance, not rejection, but compassion is what God, my Father, gives to me. He cares for my pain enough to enter into my world and share it in Jesus.

Thought for today: Do I reflect God’s love?

Proud Father June 15, 2017

Proverbs 23:24 (NIV)

24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
    a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

The greatest gift I can give my father, and my Father, is to be righteous in my heart and life.

Thought for today: Is the Father pleased with/by me?

Citizens Of Heaven June 14, 2017

Philippians 3:20 (NIV)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

No matter what your passport says, if you are a Christian, there is no earthly country that can hold you, no borders that can claim, you and no flag that flies above you but Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven. You have more in common with the believing aboriginal tribesman of Indonesia, the Christian refugee in Africa, the Bedouin brother in Egypt, the Spirit-filled Brazilian housewife, the high rise business person in Hong Kong who bows to pray in Jesus name, than you do your next door neighbors if they don't know Christ as Lord and Savior.

Thought for today: Do I embrace my citizenship (belonging)? 

The Holy Spirit Intercedes June 13, 2017

 Luke 11:13 (NIV)

13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him !”

Think of all the great gifts you've been given. Next to Jesus, God's gracious sacrifice for our salvation, the greatest gift we can receive is God's abiding presence in the Holy Spirit! He is ours if we ask. In fact, when we ask God for anything, the Spirit is already in God's presence interceding for us!

Thought for today: Am I praying with/in the right intentions?

God’s Voice June 12, 2017

Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.

God's voice is always speaking. His witnesses give testimony to his glory, majesty, and creative grace. The universe shouts with joy that behind its intricate beauty and paralyzing powers is the One who gave it life, purpose, and intention.

Thought for today: Can I hear God speak or is there too much “noise” in my life?

Be Still June, 11, 2017

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

History tells me it has been true! Faith trusts it will be true eternally! Reverent silences, a pause in the hectic rush of our lives, reminds us that it is true today.

Thought for today: Can I sit in silence and wait for revelation?

Forgiveness June 10, 2017

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

How can I not forgive a brother or sister for whom Christ died, when I know what God paid to forgive me?

Thought for today: Do I acknowledge the gift of forgiveness ?

Lord & Savior June 9, 2017

Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The world wants a Savior but not a Lord. The New Testament is clear, a Savior who is not Lord is no Savior and no friend. If the Old Testament showed us anything, it is that God's seemingly bizarre laws were written not for his fascination but for his people's preservation. Let's not only call Jesus Lord this week, let's live in a way that shows he controls our lives and his Spirit produces our character.

Thought for today: Do I allow God to reign in my life?

Supernatural Strength June 8, 2017

Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV)

19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.

"The Lord is my strength!" Wow, what power we have in his abiding and empowering presence in the Holy Spirit.

Thought for today: Do I know my limitations and rely on God?

Blessed Assurance June 7, 2017

Psalm 90:2-4 (NIV)

2 Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

4 A thousand years in your sight
    are like a day that has just gone by,
    or like a watch in the night.

So many things about our life are uncertain. This one thing, however, is sure: no matter where, when, or how long, God will be there and will be with us and for us.

Thought for today: Do I hold fast and firm to my faith?

Loving Deeply June 6, 2017

Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Love that surpasses knowledge. That's very difficult to explain, but when you have loved your spouse for decades and he or she is as close to you as any bodily organ, you experience what this means. When you love a child and do what you never dreamed you could do for another human being, you understand this phrase. And when you stand before God, adopted as a full heir of all his great riches, a full sibling to Jesus Christ the Lord, and know you are seen as holy, without reproach, and blameless, you begin to understand this phrase.

Thought for today: Have I ever sought to love on this level?

Encouragement June 5, 2017

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

While Paul's exhortation here is excellent, it is the style of the exhortation we should especially notice. We live in an age where we are constantly pressured to emphasize the novel, new, or improved versions of things. But in our lives as Christians, our knowledge always exceeds our obedience. So more often than we like to think, we need to remind each other of what we are doing right and just simply say, "Hey, you're doing well; just keep doing what you're doing!"

Thought for today: Do I encourage others to go after their dreams?

Greatness June 4, 2017

1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)

11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
    and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
    for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
    you are exalted as head over all.

Praise is the direct address of God that lets him know we recognize him for who he is, what he has done, and what he is doing. But more than informing God of his greatness, praise is rejoicing before him in his greatness and recognizing that not only is his grace without comparison, his majesty and might and holiness and faithfulness and righteousness and mercy and love and forgiveness and justice and... without comparison. God is God and praise is thankful celebration that he is God, and even more importantly, that he is our God.

Thought for today: Do I diminish the greatness of God  (luck, good fortune, karma) ?

Speak Softly June 3, 2017

Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Why is it so hard to endure an unjust or unfair criticism? Why do we always have to defend ourselves no matter how ridiculous the charge? Often the problems we have with others simply escalate because we do not choose to forgive and let them go on in the Lord!

Thought for today: Am I always part of a defense team arguing petty points?

The Final June 2, 2017

Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)

28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Who are you waiting for? Can you think of anything more exciting than to wait for Jesus to come take us home in his glory! But ours isn't a passive wait. Jesus gave us a commission to take his story to the whole world and call others to join with us in following him. So by the power of the Holy Spirit we wait in expectation as we share Jesus' good news with passion and as we live with the character and compassion of the Father.

Thought for today: What is my work while I wait?

Holy Vision June 1, 2017

Revelation 21:2-4 (NIV)

2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

I don't know about you, but I'm kind of ready for that old order stuff to go away. The end of tears, death, mourning, crying and pain sounds pretty good to me! No wonder the early Christians would say, "Marantha. Come Lord Jesus!" They couldn't wait.

Thought for today: Can I see beyond my immediate situation?