Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter Everyday

The Bible tells us that God will release His power to us. Now that’s empowerment. We show God faith when we rely and use it!
1. God's power is shown by His Hand (creation, flood, law, etc.)
2. God's power is shown through people ion the Bible (Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, the Prophets, etc.)
3. God's power is shown through us (His children, Me & You)
After seeing the resurrected Lord why are we hanging around with "dead people". Don't go back to the way things were before. Experience the new life God has for you!
What are you going to do the day after Easter? Should our joy turn in to despair over what awaits us? We shout He Lives but then we have to go and make a living! Instead let’s agree to celebrate Easter every day!
         Once you come to grip with your situation,
         Then through salvation you recieve your identification.
         You will be sure of your destination.
         And that will be cause for a Celebration!

Be wise today and always - celebrate Easter everyday.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Grace

In Matthew and Mark, it is reported that both thieves were mocking Jesus along with the crowd. As the hours wore on, however, one criminal’s conscience was smitten, and he repented. The repentive thief rebuked the other and testified to Jesus’ innocence. His prayer reflected his belief that the soul  lives on after death; that Christ had a right to rule over a kingdom of the souls of me, and that He would soon enter that kingdom despite His impending death. His request to be remembered is a plea for mercy, which also reveals that the thief understood he had no hope but divine grace. All of this demonstrates true faith on the part of the dying thief. Christ graciously affirmed the man’s salvation, and offered paradise to the repentant thief on the cross

Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."   .

Be wise today and always - your hope in eternity brings you hope today.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Good Friday?

Good Friday – What’s so good about it? The day that Jesus, Son of God, dies for the world in the cruelest of ways, and we call Good Friday. The Sunday School answer would be it is good for what Christ did for me! I think there is more to it as we look at the Bible, and what it has to tell us.
1. All was completed! – Jesus had completed the mission He came to earth for. Philippians 2:5-11- Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2. Scripture was fulfilled! – From Jesus’ birth to the resurrection was prophesied. Matthew 26:52 - Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.  But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

3. It is finished! – tetelesti! (transaction/deal was omplete)- death has been defeated
1 Corinthians 15:55 - “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave up His Spirit in order that we can receive the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 - But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Be wise today and always - thank God that He is good all the time.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

King Jesus

When Jesus enters my life, a new power comes to me because He is my king.

“Are you the King of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied (Mark 15:2, NIV).

Jesus wasn’t going to lie. He couldn’t deny his kingship. His kingdom though is much more powerful and mighty than anything anyone has ever experienced. It is and eternal kingdom. That power is yours, too, if you accept the king because when Jesus enters your life, a new power comes to you because he is your king.

All the power of the kingdom comes when the king enters in.

That’s what Jesus meant when he told his first followers,

Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these (John 14:12, NIV 1984).

Bold words, but true.

Be wise today and always - allow King Jesus to enter in to your heart, and rule your life.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Righteous Living

When Jesus enters my life, righteousness comes to me because he is the fulfillment of the Law.

“There is no one righteous, not even one;… there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:9b-10, 12b,).

Despite all the Pharisees’ efforts, no one—not one soul—had managed to keep the Law of God … because the Law was not given to make us righteous.

The Bible says the Law was given to show us our sin.

No one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin (Romans 3:20 NIV).

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV).

So when I have Jesus Christ living in me, I have righteousness living in me, and flowing out from me.

In Romans 5, verse 17 (NIV), the Apostle Paul says:those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”

Be wise today and always - accept God's gift and allow Christ to change your life.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Religion to Relationship

In this week's lesson from The Bible series we see in Luke 19:28-48 that a relationship with Jesus brings about things that no amount of religion could ever do. When Jesus enters my life, forgiveness comes to me because he is my high priest.

First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:1–10, NIV).

Jesus came, a high priest above all high priests, and did not offer a bull or lamb as a sacrifice—he offered himself, and He did it for you and me.

Be wise today and always - it's not about religon it's about relationship.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Change the World

Jesus told His disciples that they were going to "Change the World" in The Bible Series that's broadcasting on the History channel this month. A friend of mine was put off by the comment because Jesus never said that in their version of the Bible. They're right - it's not said in mine either, but it certainly is stated loud and clear.

Jesus did change the world! His disciples took on His mantle and started churches all over the know world, and it grew faster and larger than any time since. That is real change - Amen?

Jesus said in Matthew 18:2-5, He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.


May we become more "child-like" as we accept how Jesus changes our lives and world as we follow Him.

Be wise today and always- change is good.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Hope in Messiah

For a long time, over 400 years after Israel returned from Babylonian captivity, God was silent. But there was hope. In the midst of being taken over by the Persians, then Greeks, and then the Romans God’s promises were still true. His greatest promise of sending a Savior to the world was yet to come, and His people longed for this coming King.

The prophets foretold of God coming in the form of a man that would create a kingdom that would last forever. Then as now people had their own ideas about what God should and would do. The Jews wanted a conquering King to destroy the enemy and make Israel the mightiest nation on earth. We today expect God to be like a genie in a bottle, and grant all our wishes to give us happy lives.

God always knows what is best for us, and we need to be more in tune with His plans and purposes for our lives.

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in him. Psalm 37:9-40

Be wise today and always - praise God for knowing what’s best for us.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

God Sent


The stories in the book of Daniel give us inspiring insights into how God’s “great salvation” changes us from victims to victors. Our story and Daniel's are one of the same.

I can be victorious because “my God sent” (Daniel 6:22).

At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God (Daniel 6:19-23).

 Daniel was saved … because God sent someone …

God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life  (John 3:16).

I can be victorious over temptation and sin, shame and guilt, death and the devil, all the evil and filth of this world because “my God sent Jesus”.
 
Be wise today and always - accept God's gift of salvation and share it with the world around you.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Stand and Deliver

The stories in the book of Daniel give us inspiring insights into how God’s “great salvation” changes us from victims to victors. Our story and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's are one of the same.

I can be victorious because my God “is able to deliver” (Daniel 3:8–27).

Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace (Daniel 3:13b–23, NIV).

We are sometimes in the same position as they were as children of God. We face difficult choices, and have to decide between compromise and conviction.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. … Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon (Daniel 3:24–28, 30, NIV).

Now, this story is not a guarantee that you’ll never have to endure injury or pain, but remember the promise of Psalm 34:17: The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

It was their trust in God and their obedience of him that brought victory.
 
Be wise today and always - God is able to save and deliver us.
 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Knowing is Believing


The stories in the book of Daniel give us inspiring insights into how God’s “great salvation” changes us from victims to victors. Our story and Daniel's are one of the same.

I can be victorious because “there is a God in heaven” (Daniel 2:1–48)

Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.”The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come” (Daniel 2:25–28).

There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, who can redeem you from your past and who can give you boldness and confidence in your future.

Be wise today and always - Know the God in heaven.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Second Chances

 
 
We all make mistakes in life. Most of us know the story of Samson - one of the strongest men who ever lived. He took his eyes off God, and it cost him his strength, and his sight. He was taken captive by the enemy, but his heart turned back to God. He asked for one more chance to destroy the enemies of God, and to have his mighty strength returned.
 
25 While they were in high spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. When they stood him among the pillars, 26 Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. Judges 16:25-30
 
The God of second chances - and more! Amen?
 
Be wise today and always - repent and be ready to act in faith.

    

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Journey from Victim to Victor

This week's lesson from The Bible series is the story of a time when the entire nation of Israel was reduced to nothing, but rubble. God had a plan, as he does for every one of us. His plan was to work their salvation, in such a way that turned them from victims to victors; the same plan God has for you and me.
The book of Daniel, in our Bible, is named for the main figure in the story, who was one of many exiles who were forcibly taken from their homes when Jerusalem was conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar, and the kingdom of Judah ended by the nation of Babylon.
But though he was more than five hundred miles from home, among people who didn’t know or worship his God, Daniel’s story was just beginning. He became an advisor to the very king who had tried to make victims of him and his people.
So even in the midst of the nations downfall God was still involved in the daily lives of His people.
Be wise today and always - trust in God regardless of your circumstances.
 

Monday, March 18, 2013

God's Way

Jeremiah in the Old Testament is sometimes called the "weeping prophet." His life was full of hardship, ridicule, and rejection. All the while he was faithful and obedient to what God was calling him to do and say. His weeping was not on account of his physical woes, but because of the Jews rejection of God. 

He told them of their need to repent and turn back to God. Everyone from the King on down rejected the message and tortured the messenger. Jeremiah never gave up on his work, and even when defeat and captivity was imminent he still held out hope.
 
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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12

God knew that His people would return to Him, and would forgive.

Be wise today and always - turn to God in obedience not as a result of punishment.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Freedom

Today we’ll look at the last part of how Rahab’s story is the same as yours and mine. My story is marked by a scarlet cord Look at Joshua 2:15–21, 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.
16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.” 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.”So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
Rahab made a choice by helping God’s men escape. We will now see in Joshua 6:20–25 if she made the right choice. When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.
21 They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.22 Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” 23 So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.
24 Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the Lord’s house. 25 But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day
.
Choosing God is always the right choice! When the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage (Galatians 4:4–5, The Message).

Jesus … suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood (Hebrews 13:12). Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. The gift of salvation is offered to all mankind.

The choice is yours.

Be wise today and always - freedom is in front of you.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Choices

Today we’ll continue to look at how Rahab’s story and ours is the same.
My story involves a choice. Look ate Joshua 2:4–14, But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.
At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.”
Our God is a God who specializes in setting captives free!

 It’s a choice that all of us must make - Sin or salvation? Slavery or freedom?

Be wise today and always - choose salvation and freedom!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Journey from Slavery to Freedom

The story found in the book of Joshua is not just Rahab’s story, but it is yours and mine as well:
My story starts out sad.  Look at Rahab’s story in Joshua 2:1–3, Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.”
So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”
Rahab had a sad life and it just got more complicated. She was asked to give up God’s men to the evil king. The Bible reminds us of our sad life and choices we make as well, All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
It’s a problem we all have and it puts us in bondage, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34)
Be wise today and always - realize where you are in life and turn to God.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Deliverer

Israel was starving to death. There was a great famine throughout the land. The only country that had food was Egypt. The ironic thing is that the man in charge was the brother who they sold in to slavery, Joseph. He became their deliverer from certain death.

Over the years  the Pharaoh forgot Joseph, but the Hebrew nation continued to grow in spite of being in bondage for 400 years. The people's cries reached God, and He sent another deliverer by the name of Moses.

God sent ten plagues on Egypt - the last one was death to the firstborn son. Accept those who had sacrificed a lamb and put the blood above their doors. The angel of death "passed over" these homes. The Hebrews were released from slavery and celebrated the first Passover because of a blood of the lamb.

Death will pass over us as well because of the blood that was shed on Calvary by Jesus Christ. The perfect sacrifice for our sins - by the blood of God's Lamb. Praise the Lord!

Be wise today and always - praise God for our Deliverer Jesus!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Saved


Praise God that we do not have to face uncertain death because: My salvation has been provided (Genesis 22:11–14).


The die was cast. The knife was raised. He probably closed his eyes and braced himself. And then the angel of the Lord spoke up, told Abraham to hold off, and the next thing you know, a ram appeared, tangled in a bush nearby.  A ram. A sacrificial animal. A substitute.



And Isaac was saved. Do you know that’s your story, too?



You may not be physically bound, hand and foot, but like all of us,

you know what it’s like to be tied up in knots. You know the shackles of sin.  

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23, NIV).



But your story doesn’t end there, because just as he did for Isaac, God provided salvation for you … a substitute. A Lamb.



That’s what John the Baptist meant when he saw Jesus by the Jordan River, and announced to everyone: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).



God provided a Lamb for all of us. For me. For you.



What kind of response would be appropriate for you today?

Be wise today and always - say yes to Jesus today.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Death

The Scripture for this week's study is found in Genesis 22:1–19. It's important to remember that everyone has a story, Genesis 22, is not just Isaac’s story; it is the story of all of us in very important ways. 
 
The second thing we are reminded of is: My death appears certain (Genesis 22:9–10).

At some point, Isaac understood what was happening. At some point, he realized that his death was certain. Maybe some of us have had such a moment. But Isaac’s story is your story, and mine, regardless. The Bible says,

Sin came into the world because of what one man did, and with sin came death. This is why everyone must die—because everyone sinned (Romans 5:12, NCV).

Ever since the first human beings ate the forbidden fruit, ever since they ignored God’s warning and did things their own way, we have all gone astray. We have all rejected God’s way and chosen our own way … repeatedly.  And the awful consequence of the sin that touches us all is the death that awaits us all.

Every one among us is facing physical death, just like Isaac did on the altar; it’s not a question of if death is coming, it is only a question of when.
No man knows when his hour will come (Ecclesiastes 9:12).

But, happily, that is not the end of the story. Or, at least, it doesn’t have to be.

Be wise today and always - seek the One who gives eternal life! 

Monday, March 11, 2013

Death to Life



The Bible Series on the History channel started this week with the episode called, Journey from Death to Life

The Scripture for this week's study is found in Genesis 22:1–19. It's important to remember that everyone has a story, Genesis 22, is not just Isaac’s story; it is the story of all of us in very important ways.
 
First remember:    My life is an uncertain journey (Genesis 22:1–8).

No man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him? (Ecclesiastes 10:14b, ESV).

None of us knows what is to be. No matter how much you may know,

no matter how educated you are, no matter how much you have figured out,  your life, like mine, is an uncertain journey. That’s one way in which Isaac’s story is my story, and yours, too. 

Be wise today and always - keep you eyes on Christ as you journey through life.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Doesn't Make Sense

When we live by faith in God we will obey His call even when it doesn't make sense. We see the call of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-4, The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.

Abraham knew what we all should - God was with him. Throughout his life he was tested time and time again, but he was obedient to God. Even when we are tested we need to remember to trust in God. He knows what is best for us even when we don't.

Be wise today and always - follow God and trust in His plan for your life.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

After the Storm

The world was destroyed by flood because people were so wicked and sinful. All had turned their back on God except a man named Noah. We are told in Genesis 8:15-18 what happened after the water subsided.
15 Then God said to Noah, 16 “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. 17 Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.”
18 So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives.

The first thing that Noah did was worship God.

20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. 22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

I think that is appropriate for all of us. Our first instinct should be to worship the God who never leaves us and will see us through all the trials in life.

Have you worshiped and praised Him today?

Be wise today and always - lift up your eyes to where your help comes from!