Knowing!

Today I've been trying to help Aprille with the chores (washing clothes, cleaning etc.). I've even got the black-eyed-peas soaking for tomorrow. But somehow I ended up going through old clothes in our closets. As I bagged them up to take to Good Will, I was reminded of the many blessings my family has enjoyed. We have never been without anything. My family lives in peace and comfort and we each claim Jesus as Savior. We don't know what 2010 will bring, but we know the One who knows. Hears us Lord when we call Your name.

Lord Jesus, You bless Your children, You protect Your children, You love Your children, You know us by name! Help us to be lights of Your presence in this world I pray in Your name. Amen.

Jumbled but Praising

I'm trying to get everything unpacked and put away today. My new coffee-maker works great. (I woke to the aroma) My new clothes are a little tight this morning (too much good food) Enjoyed some quiet time this morning! (Saturate!) I'm thankful for the preaching opportunity at the Beaufort Church Sunday morning. ("Surrender!...Live HOLY!") My mind and heart are full of emotions and that's why I seem a little jumbled this morning.

Keep a attitude of prayer!

Lord, You are my hope and peace and rest. You know my secrets. You know my needs. You know the plans You have for me. You know me! I Praise You! Amen.

Now!

Paul's paraphrase of Galatians 4:4........ When the time was just-right God made His move!

Be thankful today! It is my prayer that you know the One who began everything, the One who is everything, and the One who loves you!

Father, We praise you and thank you. Glory to You!
Amen

Good News

Christmas is a special time of the year. The decorations and the presents, the shopping and the parties, the food and the fun all seem to make life's difficulties a little easier. If only those living with false expectation could grasp the true meaning of the season. If only those in the dark could find relationship with the Light of the world. If only those ruined by deception would seek the Reason for the season. If only.......

Share the Good News with someone today.

Lord Jesus, help us to be bold in YOUR name today and tomorrow and for all the tomorrows You give us to speak of You. Amen.

Journey

The highway is calling me. Today I will load up my family, cats, and presents to go home for Christmas. I wonder what Joseph was thinking as he made his preparations to travel with his wife and the unborn Savior of the world. Just imagine all the emotions that were going through his heart and mind. What an over-whelming and awesome time that must have been for him.

Lord Jesus, we sing "Joy, Joy Joy" to You. Thank you for your never-ending love. Amen.

stuff

My day has been a little scrambled, difficult actually. I have experienced confusion, disappointment, frustration, anger, guilt, and a few other emotions. From a doctor appointment to dealing with a teenage daughter, I feel like I lost the battle today. It's just how life gets sometimes and I understand we do the best we can with what we have. In the midst of all my emotions, I found myself pleading my case with God, like He didn't already know about the stuff I was complaining about. But He does know. He knows the stuff that I don't know. He allows and controls all my stuff and He is teaching me to give my stuff to Him. God has a unique way of turning "stuff" into "blessing." So I confess my failures and give my stuff to Him.

Lord Jesus, take my stuff and do with it as You please. Help me along the way. Glorify Yourself I pray! Amen.

Answers!

Have you ever asked God for something and immediately He answered you? Do we really believe that God hears our prayers? Does God, the Almighty, really have time for our "little" concerns?

Just a few minutes ago I asked God to protect my friend Bridget as she drove home. I watched her leave and I went and sat in my chair to eat my supper. Almost immediately, the phone rang. It was Bridget. When she pulled up to the entrance to our subdivision a car came speeding through the intersection, almost hitting her. The speeding vehicle actually hit the car behind Bridget. The tire marks on the highway made a complete half circle around Bridget's car. Wow! Thank God for answered prayer!

Watch and pray and believe!

Father, my request was simple, but You heard me and protected my friend Bridget and the other people too. I stand amazed at the reality of Your presence in our lives. Praise You!! Thank you!! Praise You!! Amen.

Deception

How is it that chocolate candy (which cannot speak, hear, see,smell, or touch), can get into my mind and create a craving or desire so strong that I will get off the couch, get in my car, drive in the rain or snow, stand in long lines with complete strangers, and spend my hard-earned money just to have it? What's up with that?

Well friends, our world is a lot like a bar of chocolate. It looks sweet and promising, but its pleasures are temporary, a false hope to those who buy into it. Remember, this world as we now know it is fallen according to God's Holy Word. Be careful of the cravings of this life. Don't be fooled by its draw and attractions. Seek the real Satisfaction; the Savior, the One called Wonderful! Jesus is His name and He is your hope!


Lord Jesus, You satisfy our every desire. Help us not to be caught up in the world's deceptions. When we are in You, we are victors! You are sweet to our lips and soul. Praise Your Name! Amen.

Sent Forth............for me!

In the long lines, standing in crowds of people, aching backs, sore feet, trying to keep a positive attitude in what seems to be a desperate situation, (trying to find just the right gifts for those special people in our lives) let us never forget the Reason for the season.

This mornings sermon emphasized the love of the Father. "God sent forth his Son..." so that we could become sons of God. What an amazing truth!

Father, You loved me to the point of sacrificing your most precious possession for me. I praise You and worship You and You call me son. Thank you Father. Amen.

God's Perfect will

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)

Seekers find! Finder keep!

Lord, help me to know Your perfect will. Amen.

Casting Cares on Jesus

I made a new friend at the ballgame tonight. His name is Allen! Allen shared his troubles with me as the seconds ticked away on the scoreboard. When the game ended, I did the only real thing I could. I prayed with Allen. On a hard bleacher seat, with arms around each other, we gave his troubles to Jesus. It's amazing how a simple prayer puts a smile on the face and heart of the broken and discouraged and struggling man. Please remember Allen!

Lord Jesus, thank you for your very real presence and for the hope found in You. Hold Allen close and help him to know You are with him. In Jesus name, Amen.

Can't sleep! Okay, maybe God is trying to get my attention? Seekers have to stop and listen so they don't miss His voice.

"Be still and know that I am GOD..." Psalm 46:10

Lord, It's me again and I'm listening. Amen

Monday Morning Training

As I sat and watched Faith and the girls (Bull Dogs) practice basketball at 7:00 am this morning, I quietly read and studied. The lesson for me was God has chosen me to do His work. Just like the girl Bull Dogs, there must be a time for practice in the life of a believer; time saturating in God's Word. Preparation is most important. It builds confidence and strengthens the team. The team I'm referring to is Jesus and me. Together, Jesus and I will accomplish His purpose. Practice improves performance! Practice makes perfect!

Lord teach me the truths of Your Gospel so I can play hard when it's game-time. Help me to overcome the opponent. In Your Strength. Amen

Are you in the "Black" with Jesus?

We call today BLACK FRIDAY. It's positive! It's profitable! It's a plus! It's projecting forward from this day to promising days ahead.

Many of our friends and family need a Spiritual "Black Friday" in their lives. Without it they are eternally bankrupt. Jesus is the only positive, profitable, plus projecting PROMISE we have. Share the Truth!

Lord Jesus, You came to give life to all. You came as the true Promise. Lord, You keep your promises. Help us to spread Your message and to live Your promise. Amen!

Feast on Him

Yesterday, Faith and I put out Santa's sleigh and reindeer, along with our crab pot Christmas tree and candy canes. Aprille was busy (with a little help from Faith) arranging the Christmas decorations inside the house. I think the tree will be coming real soon; maybe today. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our house!

"But it's Thanksgiving!"
This morning I put the turkey in the oven, and soon the mashed potatoes, yams, green beans, stuffing, and hot biscuits will be ready. And my favorite dessert is chilling in the freezer; sweet potato pie. Can't get much better than that!

As we enjoy Thanksgiving and look forward to Christmas, let us be reminded of the love of our Savior. Jesus makes all our days days filled with praise and thanksgiving. One day soon He will call us to reign with Him forever in His kingdom, to forever be with the Lord.

Lord Jesus, we praise You because You alone are deserving and worthy of our praise and we thank you for the blessings of our lives, the greatest being our salvation found only in You. Thank you for Your presence and unending love. In Your precious name, Amen.

Claim Him!

Have you been on a Treasure hunt? Have you found the Treasure? Have you claimed the Treasure? Are you sold out for the Treasure? Do you know the Treasure?

Lord, You are the Treasure and I claim You today! Amen.

What to do about the holiday blues.

FOCUS...
1. ...on your blessings, not your blues.
2. ...on your Joy; JESUS!
3. ...on your reward; Redemption!

Focus on your Friend; your Forever Savior!

Danger

Call it what you may, tolerate it, turn your back to it, make excuses, but sin is wrong and sin separates us from God. With so much sin everywhere these days, it is easy to become confused and begin to accept sin or even worse, participate in it. Sin is dangerous and Sin leads to death. Live in the light and not in the darkness! "...Christ in you, the hope of glory," Colossians 1:27.

Father, protects us from the evil which lurks around every corner and deliver us to the victory found in Christ. Amen.

The Way, Truth, & Life

Romans 10:4, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
Galatians 3:26,"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."
Romans 6:11 "...reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
John 14:6, Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Is it that difficult to understand? JESUS is our only connection!

Lord Jesus, You took my place so that I could know Your love. I love You more every moment of every day of my life. Amen!

Special Gift from God

There's something real special about spending time with God's people and hearing the Truth of God's Word taught, and knowing that God removed all obstacles from my life to allow me to come together with His people to be encouraged and equipped. God is special!

Father, thank you for this special time of blessing in my life. Thank you for making me feel so special. Amen.

"How beautiful are the feet..."

************************
Thanks Brother!

This way!

Direction-"the line along which anything lies, faces, moves, etc., with reference to the point or region toward which it is directed"

Where is God directing you today?
Where are you willing to be led?
Where is God in your life?
Where are you with God?
Where do you want to end up?
Where?

Lord Jesus, may I follow You in the direction You lead me so that where You are I will be. Amen

Amazing Truth

In an early morning saturation of the Scripture I was reminded of the awesomeness of my Lord and Savior. I encourage everyone to soak in The Letter to the Hebrews today. Take time, make time, do what ever you have to do to spend time in God's Word. You will be amazed!

Lord Jesus, I am deeply touched by your words of truth this morning. I sought you and found you. You revealed yourself to me. I thought I was sitting here alone, but You are with me. I sit quietly in Your presence. Thank you for meeting me here. Thank you for reminding me who You are. Thank you for spending time with me. Amen.

Determination

The athlete spends many long and hard hours preparing for the game. The teacher is always learning so they can teach their students. The doctor and nurse overcome the challenges of stress and fatigue to help others get better. The musician practices relentlessly to reach perfection. So what does the believer do? Our challenge is to spend long and hard hours learning the truths of God’s word as servant-students so that when stress and fatigue enters our lives we can not only receive the healing balm of the Gospel but share it with our neighbors, striving relentlessly for the perfection found in Jesus.

Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me."

Lord Jesus, help us to desire You more and more each day. Help us to be more like You. Help us to reach Your purpose for us, I pray. In Your precious name! Amen.

Useful

The Apostle Paul sent out a plea to Philemon for Onesimus. Who in the world is that? Onesimus was Philemon’s slave. What? Yes, his slave. Slave? Yes, I know that’s strange but listen at what Paul says about Onesimus. Paul says that Onesimus was once “unprofitable” but now he is “profitable.” Paul is saying that Onesimus is useful. Why is that? Because Onesimus found Christ! Believers, you and I are "useful" today because of our "slave" relationship in Christ! That’s a kool thought! It is TRUTH! We are "Useful" to Jesus!

Lord Jesus, You took us when we were nothing of any worth and made us something of value. You made us useful. You make us useful. We are useful. Use us we pray. Amen.

Apple pie and basketball

Father, as I enjoy the last piece of apple pie I hear Faith outside bouncing her basketball. The sun is shinning bright, the air is warm, and Your day is peaceful and holy. Thank you for this day and for Your blessings. Thank you and praise You! And God's people said...Amen!

Moses asked Your name. Your answer was "I AM THAT I AM"

Example

Philip did what he was told; nothing more, nothing less. The Bible says he "WENT to Samaria and PREACHED CHRIST to them." Example: Obedience and Boldness. His message: CHRIST! That ONE NAME covers the entire message of the Gospel and moves man beyond his own abilities.

Lord, may we share Your truth in obedience and boldness. Help us, strengthen us, guide us. In Your name, CHRIST! Amen

Blessings!

Forget the myth! Friday the 13th was a great day!

Father, You tell us to trust You everyday. Our trust brings forth Your blessing. Praise You for today and for Your love! Praise Jesus! Amen

Believing

It's a new day and I wonder what God has planned for me today. I wonder what His purpose is for me. He knows me (I believe that) and He guides me (I've experienced that) and even when I get off course (I've done that too), He re-sets me. Well, whatever God has for me today, I know He is in it.

Curious yet trusting,
pp


Pray this prayer with me....

Jesus, You are the center of my life and You know just where we are headed. Help me to follow You to the place which You have called me go. Amen!

Claim Christ!

With heights of joy in serving my Master I am happily familiar. But into the very depths of despair-such an inward sinking, as I cannot describe-I have likewise sunk. Yet I do know that my Redeemer lives, that the battle is sure, that the victory is safe. –Spurgeon


Friends, hang in there with Jesus!
Claim Christ!
pp


Make this your prayer today!

My Jesus, You are my living Redeemer and in You I will be sure and safe, knowing that my victory is found in You today. Amen

Again

Trials come in the shadows. Sometimes they come with the rain.
But in the sun, when I find I’m just holding on, I pray.
Lord, help me once again.

You give me strength to overcome, everyday, everything.
In weakness and shame, When I call Your name, I pray
Lord, help me once again.

Hold me close when I’m falling away. Plead my life again.
Carry me if that’s what it takes, and remind me who I am.
When I pray Lord, help me once again.
Lord, help me once again

a song from my heart,
pp

Lord, wherever we are, when we cry to You, You hear us. Over and over and over and over again! Praise Your Name! Praise Your name Lord Jesus! Amen.

Seeing God

In Psalm 8, the psalmist finds himself in a moment of majesty and mystery in the Lord. The experience causes him to see God in a new light. This evidence of God in the creation produces a personal soul-searching moment. We too enjoy those experiences, those times when we realize, with a sense of wonder, the majesty and mystery of our Lord. We see the beauty of an ocean, a mountain, or a cloud filled sky, and in these we see God; His majesty and His mystery. Perhaps when we are in these moments we too should investigate our lives, our purpose, enter into a deep soul searching? Moments of wonder and amazement lead us to moments of praise and glory to our Lord.


Searching,
pp


Lord, You are who you say You are and Your creation reflects You. Help us to get close to You today. Help us to see You in everything we see today. Help us to know You. Amen.

Someone once said, "Is there anything too hard for Me?" We might think that saying a statement such as this would mean someone is being sarcastic, or proud, or even arrogant. But when these words come from our Lord Jesus, this is a very specific truth which provides you and me the assurance that God is always in control. No matter where we find ourselves; whether good or bad, easy or difficult, safety or danger, we must look to our Lord Jesus Christ and trust His words with a confidence that goes beyond our own understanding. Ask yourself; "Self, is anything too hard for God?" There is a satisfying peace found in the answer.

Trusting always!
pp


Lord Jesus, Your words are an encouragement to our hearts. Our journey on this earth on this very day at this very moment finds peace in knowing that You are our security, our protection, our supply, and our Savior. Help us to always look to You. Amen.

The Road Ahead

Today is the first of a new journey for me. I have been told by a dear friend that my "prayers and thoughts need to be recorded for your friends to visit whenever they want too." I know that many of my friends have been following my ministry already. As I am nearing the completion of the first step of my journey; graduating from Free Will Baptist Bible College in May 2010, I am excited about this opportunity. On the road ahead I will seek to encourage you daily through God's Word, Prayer, and personal testimony. I invite you to share your own blessings and requests. Together, let us go forth boldly down the road ahead.

Following the True Leader,
pp

Lord Jesus, walk slowly and hold our hands tightly as we follow You down the road ahead. We want to bring You glory. And Lord, when we stumble and fall along the way, pick us up again. Light our way Lord Jesus. Amen.