He Leads Us by Max Lucado

 Psalm 119:105 Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path, Max Lucado says,"God isn’t going to let you see the distant scene. So you might as well quit looking for it. He promises a lamp unto our feet, not a crystal ball into the future. We do not need to know what will happen tomorrow. We only need to know He leads us and we will find grace to help us when we need it."  Wow, Mr. Lucado certainly does put it in perspective for us. I am so glad I have his word to lead me.  His grace is never ending.  So as I go into the new year I am going to be sure I allow God to lead.  I need to listen. God calls for his people to listen. Psalm 81:8-16  As Charles Stanley puts it in one of his devotionals Learning to Listen to God  We sometimes miss out on his blessing because we don't listen. Prayer is important but what if we just sat with out Bibles opened and listened to God waiting to hear what he has to say.  Psalm 46:10  "Be still and know that I am God".  That is such a powerful verse to me.  There have been times in my life when the Lord has said just that to me.

As Mr. Stanley, goes on to say not only do we need to listen but we must have discernLetment to understands what he is saying.   "He’s not the only one who wants our attention. People around us readily offer us advice, Satan whispers his lies in our minds, and the world shouts loudly from almost every electronic device and form of media. Grounding in the Scriptures sharpens our discernment and protects us from deception."  He is so right!!  Make sure you are grounded in the scriptues.  Let God be your anchor! Allow time to talk to God but make sure you also take time to listen. A two way conversation is vital part of the Christian walk.

Love your Enemies

Matthew 5:43-46 (New American Standard Bible) 43"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' 44"But I say to you, (love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? This can be so hard. God shows his love to people without distinction. When I pray for people I do not care for I am filled with a geniune love for them. Something I didn't think I would feel. In Charles Stanley's Bible Study Treasures of the Heart He reminds us that we are not at war with people but with humans Eph 6:12 The following parable shows the best example of loving your neighbor Luke 10:30-37 He goes on to tell us that "Jews looked down on Samaritans because they had intermarried with pagans and allowed incorrect theology to seep into their religion. No Jew would expect help from such a person, an enemy. Yet in this story, the Samaritan man shows the most compassion on a Jewish traveler. " I need to more like the Samaritan. Too many times I let other things get in the way.

Washing of Feet

Todays devotional was found in John 13:3-15  Imagine the disciples’ surprise when the Son of God put Himself in the role of a lowly servant and knelt to wash their feet. The need for such a service was great, as they had been traveling for some time. But not one of them offered to do it. Mr. Stanley is right! So many times we see needs for different things but no one offers to do anything about it.  We all hope that someone else will step up. Yet, the son of God stepped up to the role of a lowly servant.  That brings tears to my eyes.

Mr. Stanley goes on to say:"In fact, the act itself is not the main point; attitude is what counts. Jesus desires that we be willing to humble ourselves to serve others. He is looking for men and women who will ignore pride, position, and power in order to do whatever must be done, wherever it needs doing, and for whoever requires assistance.Jesus performed His greatest and most humble acts of service within 24 hours of each other. He washed dirty feet using two hands that would be pierced by nails in less than a day. The message here is that every task God gives us is important to His kingdom."

Are we willing to humble ourselves to serve others?

Serving Without Holding Back!!

A devotion by Charles Stanley.  It is a portion of what has touched my heart. The entire devotional may be found at Charles Stanley Daily Devotional In the world’s thinking, great men are the ones with authority, prominence, and power. Though Jesus Christ had all that, He gave it up to become a servant (Isa.42:1)  

Jesus’ sacrifice spared us the penalty we deserve. Instead, we receive the gift of grace and have been declared no longer guilty. Moreover, we are elevated from slaves to sons and daughters of the Almighty!   He paid the price for us so that we may live and receive the gift of grace.

Jesus served the Father’s purpose faithfully. He gave up His righteousness to carry the weight of all our wickedness—and endured a crushing separation from His Father. To meet our needs, the Savior held nothing of Himself back, and thereby set a powerful example of servanthood for us follow.

We dont need to hold ourselves back from being a servant of the Lord!!! I think sometimes from our own insecurities we do.  Yet, our Father held nothing of himself back.  We need to lean on the one who gave up His righteousness to carry our weight.  He will lead and direct us. So as I go into the New Year I pray  about the path the Lord wants me to serve in.

Mary Did You Know by Mark Lowry

I had the opportunity to meet Mark when he was just starting his career.  The Lord has truly blessed him!!! Turn off my music at the bottom so you can hear this!!

My Savior Understands

Hebrews 4:14-16:  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are ..yet without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.


So thankful that I can approach his throne and receive mercy and grace!!!

As Charles Stanley puts it in todays devotional:http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

We do not have a Savior who’s isolated in heaven with no idea what it feels like to have human struggles. No, our Lord left the glories of heaven behind and added humanity to His deity. He temporarily gave up the use of some of His attributes, applying them only as the Father directed Him.


Jesus understands precisely how we feel because He went through the same types of situations we do. Though details of our lives may not match His, the experiences and feelings are alike. Let’s look at several examples of how He identifies with us:

• Misunderstanding: People constantly misunderstood His claims to be the Son of God.

• Rejection: He was unappreciated by the ones He came to love and die for.

• Pressure: Crowds surrounded Him, begging for help and demanding His attention.

• Exhaustion: He experienced all the weakness of humanity.

• Loneliness: At Gethsemane, when He needed human companionship the most, His closest friends fell asleep.

• Temptation: Satan hit Him with every imaginable type of attack and temptation.

• Hatred: Religious leaders despised Him.

• Injustice: Though Jesus lived a sinless life, He died a criminal’s death.

• Pain: He suffered the excruciating pain of scourging and crucifixion

Have Faith by Max Lucado

If your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move.  Matthew 17:20

Don't measure the size of the mountain; talk to the one who can move it. Instead of carrying the world
on your shoulders, talk to the One who holds the universe on his.

Hope is a look away.

http://www.maxlucado.com/articles/daily/have_faith

140 Days Devotional 4: The Power in Prayer

140 Days Devotional 4: The Power in Prayer

I am so thankful for the power of prayer. He is always there whenever you need him.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. Lamentations 3:22, NRSV

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?  I prefer Merry Christmas.  I am a little offended by someone saying " Happy Holidays". Employers are telling their workers that Merry Christmas might offend someone.  That is too bad in my opinion. The history of this country was built  on Christian principles and traditions.  Christmas has been celebrated in this country for a long time. They can politely smile and go on.  Why is it we have to stop and change what we have done for a century?

Luke 2:13

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Christ the Lord.



Although, the workers have to do what their Employers tell them.  I will be the one to say Merry Christmas.