Month: January 2018

Thursday 1/4 ~ Finding our joy

On By In blessings, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

The scripture for today, January 4, is Philippians 1:4 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE Medium“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”

Do your prayers consist mostly of give me this, help me with that? Begin today to keep an on-going list of your prayer requests for the year, and another one of thanksgiving for when those prayers are answered. Begin today to tell God “Thank you.”

Also begin today to look around at your circumstances ~ whatever they may be ~ with joy. There can be some kind of joy in every circumstance if you look at it through eyes of joy.

The above quotation is from a letter to Philippi in northern Greece bordering today’s Bulgaria.  Here, a majority of the citizens were barbarian-looking warrior Thracians. But these rough semi-professional warriors also brought the world joy with their beautiful sculptures.

Philippians is a book about peace and joy. This is the book that says, “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:7)

This is also the book that says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (4:13).

From now on, tell God, ”thank you,” and in the process find your joy.

Order ebook or discount paperback here:  http://bit.ly/crippledprince

 

Wednesday 1/3 ~ Lord, I’m coming back. Help me.

On By In emptiness, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, January 3 (1/3), is Jonah 1:3a as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Bk3-HeartsAfire-COVER-Kindle.medium-new“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.”

Do we spend our lives running away from the Lord? Do we do it with busy-ness, with resentments toward people, with anger that God does not make people stop being bad to us, with disbelief that he even exists?

Is it even possible to run away from the Lord? Eventually, it is. But for a long time, the Lord runs after us. He does things to get our attention such as he did by causing a storm at sea where Jonah was on board his escape ship. 

Perhaps there are storms in your life. Have you ever thought of them as God trying to get your attention?  Perhaps you run here and there day after day, too busy to even think about God. But when disaster hits, it seems a lot of people suddenly remember God so they can blame him for their hardships.

Yes, perhaps they’re blaming God, but at least they’re thinking of him. Perhaps it’s been years since they’ve thought seriously about God. 

He has big shoulders. Go ahead and blame him for a while, then remember how he loves you and just wants you by his side.

But don’t wait too long. God only runs after us for so long. Eventually, he gives up on us. Don’t wait so long that God gives up on you and treats you the way you have been treating him.

“God, I’m coming back. Help me.”

link to ebook & discount paper:  http://bit.ly/TheyMetJesus

Tuesday 1/2 ~ Your soul is getting along well

On By In Inspirational, Saved from hellLeave a comment

The scripture for today, January 2 (1/2), is 3rd John 1:2 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

inside-cover-medium“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

Our health may be bad, our finances in an upheaval, our home damaged by wind or water, our job about to be lost. But we can still smile.

We can still rejoice that our “soul is getting along well.”

When problems come into our life ~ and they do ~ remember the most important thing is your soul. No one and no thing can touch your soul as long as you are safe in the arms of Jesus. So when problems do come, you can still with confidence rejoice that your “soul is getting along well.”

Monday 1/1 ~ Once again, God walked on earth

On By In Bible, InspirationalLeave a comment

The scripture for today, January 1 (1/1), is John 1:1f, 14a as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 5-FloodGates-Cover-Medium-New“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning….The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Genesis 3:8 says God walked on earth in the Garden of Eden. When Jesus came, God once again walked with us. But when Jesus left, did he leave us with no one to walk with?

Jesus said in John 14:17 that he was going to send another Comforter ~ the Spirit of Truth. And in John 17:17 he said God’s Word is Truth. So, just as Jesus was the Word that people could watch, the Spirit is the Word that people can read.

We do not have to guess what God is wanting us to do. We have it written down to read, and consider, and contemplate, and re-read as many times as we want.

If you have a Bible in your home, why not read it through in a year beginning today? There are suggested schedules on the internet. Or you could even divide up the number of pages in your Bible by 365 to know how many pages to read each day.

Just remember, every time you get out your Bible and read it, once again God is walking with you.

Sunday 12/31 ~ Only forever

On By In Heaven, InspirationalLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 31 (12/31), is Luke 12:31 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BOOK 7-SHADOW-ChildsCartoonMedium“But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.”

Do we actively seek God’s kingdom? Or do we drift and feel like God should feel obligated to take us into his kingdom and into his heaven? Do we feel like we’re “not so bad”, so God would be bad to not take us into his kingdom and into his heaven?

Heaven is God’s home, not ours. God has a door into his home, just like we have a door into our home. God is not required to open that door to just anyone, just like we are not required to open our door to just anyone.  We cannot just show up at the door and smile and assume he will let us in, any more than people who knock on our door and smile can assume we will let them in.

We let people into our home who we have gotten to know and whose motives we trust. Have you given God a chance to get to know you and trust your motives? Are your motives to enter heaven, God’s home? Do you even like God?

This life we live on earth is not our permanent life or residence. This is just the foyer to our eternal home. Do we live like the earth is all there is? Do you fear hell?  Do you prefer heaven?

You are about to enter a brand new year. Today, decide to start over fresh and set your new goal: To live in God’s home where there are no more years. Only forever.

2018 ~ May this new year bless you

On By In InspirationalLeave a comment

2018

May this new year bless you

Related image

Gentle Time

When God created all things good,
Something special He understood
We would need for pain to languish,
Softening life’s chance loss or anguish.

With tender heart and word sublime,
He spoke into existence Time.

One moment’s word or deed is done;
An irrevocable web is spun.
Tossed about while tragedy batters,
A delicate life breaks and shatters.

But Time can mend the life that’s broken
With patient remedies softly spoken.

Stabbing pain invades the flesh
Till thoughts and agonies enmesh.
No strength to bear; it’s past enduring.
Oh for relief that comes with curing.

Time brings tranquility’s soothing ray.
Fair Hope disarms what passes away

Death robs a life ~ it cares not how.
Yes, bitterly we all must bow
As precious ones are snatched from sight.
Goodbye? Relent, oppressive plight!

Time whispers then, “I conquer all!
Be reunited when trumpets call.”

Someday our God will vanquish fears.
There’ll be no death, no pain, no tears.
He’ll change His children ~ all mortals we ~
To peaceful immortality.

With nothing left save the sublime,
He’ll then dissolve what we call Time.

Katheryn Maddox Haddad

Wishing all of you a blessed

2018