Front Of The Line

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Contentment is not one of those words too often used these days.  Marketing professionals, and, well. anyone who has anything to sell, preys on our wants and (often unnecessary things we tend to call) “needs”.  We live in a time where we don’t want to wait for anything.

  
At one point, the stove was a modern miracle, now one stands glaring in the direction of the microwave because a meal may take eight minutes to thoroughly cook!  Oh the humanity, EIGHT MINUTES!!!!  There isn’t anyone I personally know. (nor am I), going to starve in 8 minutes! Waiting on anything or anyone seems like such an inconvenience.  How dare others intrude on  our time.  Think about that for a second.  EVERYONE can not be FIRST!

Can you imagine if we ran things, this place would be in even more selfish chaos than it is now, but it is headed that way at warp speed. As I said, the marketing firms are filled with bright minds whose job it is to bring out that narcissist.  We “deserve” the best of the best!  Why wait? Have what you want, when you want it! “Have it ‘Your way!”

These messages are pumped into us from early on and never stop!  There is no reason to be unhappy!  Take what you can get from life. You should be enjoying every day, doing what you want, where you want without interference from anyone when it comes to seeking your own satisfaction!

This mentality is so far from what Scripture teaches us.  Paul wrote about the situations and circumstances he found himself in (not just once), and yet he encourages the believer to find contentment in the ONLY SOURCE able to quench our needs.  All else is empty, not capable of filling us.  Sure, the hot ticket item may bring some excitement, but that is a feeling and it is temporary.  Finding true joy and fulfillment  is FOUND IN JESUS, AND THAT IS ETERNAL.

FATHER GOD 

Thank You for this and every day

Please forgive our sins

Please help us be content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves

You are right there with us

We don’t have to be happy constantly,

But with You, we can know true joy

Please let us seek You to fulfill the desires of our heart

And let us accept what You provide as gifts

Not counting what we want that others might have as lack

Please allow our satisfaction be found in You Alone

In Jesus Name

Amen

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What Will You Do In Such A Time As This?

All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.

Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther’s uncle, Mordecai was holding Esther accountable to use the position God allowed her, to help her people.   “Connections” go a long way, good or bad.  When our children are young, we try to teach them the importance of staying around those that will be a good influence.  When someone has a great job and a position opens up there, it is nice to have someone “inside” give a good word, making your application more valuable with the assistance of a recommendation from someone already employed there.

What about when you ARE the one with advantage, do you use that to help others?  Are you willing to possibly put your reputation on the line for someone else?  

I do believe that God puts us places at certain seasons for a reason, and we need to be sure that we are doing all we can to make the best of our situation.  We don’t have to suggest others to join a team or get hired on, because  not everything is about that.  Your reason for being somewhere may be for your growth or for someone who is already there.

Just prayerfully consider and ask God what He wants you to do for Him where you are.  You may be ready to move on, but ask the Lord before you decide on your own to go, or you may want to stay and God has been telling you it is time to move.

Wherever you find yourself today, remember that you were brought there FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

Father God

Thank YOU for this day

Please forgive our sins against You, others and ourselves

Lord, You have let out Your scepter 

That we can boldly approach Your Throne

Please show us how to serve You where we are right now

Please give us courage to move and willingness to stay where You want us to be

In Jesus’Name

AMEN

Don’t Bellyache In The Desert!

Exodus 14:10-12
As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us , that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness

Since moving in May, I’ve faced difficulties in one way or another!  From the first day here, trials started.  Where I was before wasn’t easy either,  but I was familiar with everything, and there was some comfort in that I suppose, even when situations weren’t ideal.

I hate to admit how many times I wallowed in pity, wondering why God uprooted me from where I was, only to bring me to this unfamiliar territory! Yes, God has provided more than I needed, as usual.  Jonathan has a job, two of my kids and the grandkids live close  (our oldest is a day’s drive away and she doesn’t mind travelling), we have wonderful neighbors and the list continues!BUT GOD has been working on my stubborn heart and head, showing me that He did not lead me out to this “desert” to perish! Although if I did, would that be so bad? (

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil 1:21)

No matter how much I have moaned and groaned, and believe me, I have, The Lord is showing me that for His glory and my good, He has brought me to where I am.  Rather than regretting the move, I need to look at this from an entirely different perspective.  I must choose to rejoice in following God’s Will for my life,;

wherever that takes me and whatever circumstances I find myself in as I go through this life He has given.

Heavenly Father

Thank You for this day

Please forgive our sins against You, others and ourselves

Please give us not only contentment, but joy in obeying Your perfect Willl

In Jesus Name

AMEN

Be Still or Be Still(ed)

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Isn’t it amazing how the Lord can give an instruction seemingly so simple, yet we have such a hard time following it?

For I don’t know how long, I believe the Lord has prompted me to pick up with writing and sending out the devotionals, if for no other reason than to stay in His Word, consistently studying Scripture, but I have put off those spurrings to do other things. 

 God in His great mercy,  allowed me several months to get my act together and resume writing.  First, I was selling a house, buying a house, moving, moving in and from there my “reasons” for not doing what I should have in the first place became more and more ridiculous.

  If I didn’t truly believe it was God encouraging me, I wouldn’t be doing it now.  Why the procrastination though? If I “truly” believed, is that not being disobedient?

Anyway, long story short, there are a few situations (not bad or devastating), that temporarily (or however long God decides), are keeping me home-bound.  Since I did not seem to cooperate with the Lord in being “still”, I’ve found myself riding the bench for a while! It’s all good with me, though. 

God has given me a totally different outlook and perspective from this angle! Just a note to all, if the Father calls you out for whatever reason, respond promptly, because He will get your attention!
Heavenly Father

Thank You for each and every day

Please forgive sins we have committed against You, others and ourselves

.Please let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit

We are not too busy to sit or stand still so You can instruct, correct, refresh us or whatever we need

Whatever You call us to do

Please let us wisely stop what we’re doing, acknowledge Who You Are, and obey

Our rest, refreshment, any true peace we have is found in You

Thank You

In Jesus’ Name

AMEN

The Light Shines Through Darkness

John 8:12 – Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life.

I have a tendency to move furniture and other things around quite a bit.  When I  do, sometimes at night when I have to get up, I will run into something where there was nothing earlier.  During the day I can navigate around better in my changed surroundings, plainly because I can see where I’m going.

The enemy likes to stir things up. always moving things around, causing constant chaos.   If we do not walk in God’s Light, we are prone to stumble and fall in this obstacle course we call the world.  

God on the other hand, never changes. What He sets in place, stays  in place.Some prefer darkness because they rather walk in  it than adjust to light, but it’s never the way to walk in assurance.  Yes, we can still trip and fall, even in the light, but only if we are not paying attention to where we are and know where we’re headed.
Is there any  wonder as to why Jesus is the Light?  Only light can penetrate darkness. not the other way around. Once light enters in, darkness has nowhere to go but  away.
Father GodPlease forgive our sins against You, others and ourselvesThank You for each glorious dayLord, You know what election results will be, as You set everything in motion for Your ReturnWe will not fear anythingWe know that come what may, You are King of kings and Lord of lordsThe office of a politician is limited to Your timeOnly Your Kingdom will endure foreverPraise, honor and glory to You, JesusAMEN

Fear NOT

Psalms 56:3 – What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Psalms 34:4 – I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Psalms 23:4 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy Rod and Thy Staff they comfort me.

Psalms 27:1 – (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD Is the Strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Meetings all day  at work about why the  company is not being as productive as it could, really?  Two hundred e- mails to answer between meetings, each one subject is “urgent” .In the middle of this, co-workers call.  Each one has a pressing matter to discuss, but you’ll have to call back because you’re running late to another meeting about a new project being thrown your way. We take on  so much, voluntarily or it is put upon us by what we do, there’s wonder why more of us aren’t completely in knots by week’s end.

God blesses us with a job, but I do not think He has any intention for us to stress ourselves over what we do. Why do we think we have to finish everything in such haste?  Sure, there are deadlines for certain tasks, but we do, as humans, have limitations on what we can accomplish in a particular amount of time, without the consequences of pushing ourselves past reasonable expectations.

Take Creation, God could have simply spoken the entire world, created man and woman and  everything else He did in an instant, but He didn’t.  He got quite a bit accomplished each day though, right?  He successfully and entirely did all He intended? He didn’t forget to do anything?

Lean on the Lord for direction on what priorities should be.  He will not mislead you.  God is the BEST “Project Manager” !Stop overwhelming yourself and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit! He has much more wisdom than anything  you’ll get with more meetings!  Oh, I know you have to go, but take your leadership from the Lord.

Father God

Thank You for the weekend. For time to celebrate and praise You with our brothers and sisters in Christ

Please forgive our sins against You, one another and ourselves

Please help us to not put such high demands on ourselves or others

That we cause stress or anxiety for anyone else or for ourselves

When we put unreasonable expectations, it causes a multitude of problems with our health and in our spirit

You are NOT  the author of chaos

You want us to have a sound mind, not one overwhelmed by earthly issues

Being so busy distracts us from You, Lord

Let that never be so!

All honor, glory and praise

In Jesus’ Nam

eAmen

Seeking The Spotlight

“And they shall know that I Am The LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I Am The LORD their God Exodus 29:46

For, lo, He that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is His Name. Amos 4:13

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

So many times and places throughout Scripture, The Lord has declared Who He Was, today He lets us know Who He Is and we know Who  He forevermore will Be. Our Heavenly Father  Is all-powerful, all- mighty, all -knowing and all deserving of our highest praise

.Some people gain recognition for what they do or have done, their names being a “household word” because  they accomplished something.  There are fans of great athletes, movie stars or other public figures .  Celebrities and others in the spotlight, do all they can sometimes, to remain there as long as they possibly can.  Often, someone will seem upset when called  out in a crowd ,  secretly though, they put themselves in that position for that very reason .God declares Himself to others and to us, because truly, He is the   Only One worthy of recognition and praise.

There are not too many times we should be reminded Who God  Is and what He has done, is doing and continues to do in each of our lives .Creating the universe, living a sinless life, dying to save us from the hell we deserve, resurrecting from the grave , all much more awesome than  a balance beam routine, a moon landing or anything mankind could ever accomplish, don’t you think?

So when you get a task done or feel as though you tackled a particularly tough project with ease, don’t take pride in what you’ve done or  boast about someone  else’s incredible abilities, for all things we are capable of doing well are blessings from God

.Lord

Thank You for this day

Please forgive our sins against You, others and ourselves

Please let us realize that the only rightful boasting is in You 

You, Who saved us

You Are indeed, The Awesome and Mighty God

Only You should amaze us

Only to You, goes our honor and praise

In Jesus Name

amen

A Deal Is A Deal

• Matthew 20:1-16 
• 20 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
•  And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
•  And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
•  And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
•  Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
•  And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
•  They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
•  So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
•  And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
•  But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
• And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
•  Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
•  But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
•  Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
•  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 
• So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
• Honestly, it took me a long time to accept that someone who followed Christ their entire lives and lived  a “Christian” lifestyle  , will share in the same riches as someone who lived a terrible one, totally disobedient to God, yet had a ‘deathbed conversion”?

Almighty and Merciful LordThank You for this and every day!Please forgive our sins against You, others and ourselvesPlease continue to remind us that we are no more deserving than anyone else, of Your Mercy, Grace and SalvationWe are Your CreationWe praise You for saving usPlease give us a heart of joy, for all saved soulsAnd a genuine compassion and yearning for those who do not know YouIn JESUS NAMEAmen

Turn About Is Fair Play

So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?TOOLS Est 6:7And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,TOOLS Est 6:10Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.TOOLS Est 6:11Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.TOOLS Est 6:12And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.TOOLS Est 6:13And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.TOOLS Est 6:14And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.TOOLS Est 7:1So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.TOOLS Est 7:6And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.TOOLS Est 7:7And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.TOOLS Est 7:8Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman‘s face.TOOLS Est 7:9And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.TOOLS Est 7:10So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.TOOLS Est 8:1On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.TOOLS Est 8:2And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman Clearly, Haman had no intent to give Mordecai the celebration he described for himself.What must have gone through his mind when he was obviously disillusioned by the king’s response?He just descibed the most honoring recognitions he could imagine and it was going to his enemy!  Only a narcissist would devise such a self-promoting display.How would we react in this situation? Knowing someone else was going to be rewarded what we expected for ourselves? I can honestly say. I would not be recommending such a public recognition ! I, like Haman, would more than likely fume about the situation.As in all things, God is just and righteous.  Although the circumstances seemed dire, He had a greater plan and justice prevailed.Lord, Thank You for this dayThank you for the rainsPlease forgive our sins against You, others and ourselvesHelp us to love You and others as You would have us doSearch our hearts, please, and purge them of malicious thoughtsFrom consideration, sin growsLet us take captive each one as You instruct us to doIn the Name of JesusAmen ReplyReply allForward

Devotional Get Out of the Boat

DEVOTIONAL

Matthew 14:24-31
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.25And in they fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying,Be of good cheer; it is I be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Research credit: Biblia.com
What is the Lord calling you to do? There are “waves” of discouragement constantly splashing? Are you waiting for life to be tranquil before you decide to step out in obedience to the Lord’s calling.

He wants you to focus, not on what is around you, but on Him.
He saw what was threatening to envelop Peter. Was it His lack of concern that He told him to come anyway, certainly not. Quite the contrary, actually.

When Peter took his eyes off Christ, even momentarily, what happened? He went into panic mode. Christ never intended for you or I to travel this Christian journey alone.

Did Jesus leave him there in peril? Did He tell him to forget it and get back to the boat? What was Jesus’ reaction to him in that moment of weakness, of human frailty?

The Lord is not going to condemn us for trying to follow Him. I believe He welcomes the courage we find through Him to obey and follow His calling on our lives.

PRAYER
Most Precious Heavenly Father
First, please hear our prayer requests for the two woemn
We are calling upon You to heal
According to Your perfect will
And, Father
Please let us graduate
From dangling our feet over the edge of life’s boat
Instead, bravely, with our eyes and hearts focused on You
Step out in faith
Onto the vast waters
To walk with You
Wherever You would have us go
We don’t know where that will lead us
But we do trust You
And we know that You will lead us
Far beyond our imagination
Let us not be fearful of the waves surrounding us
Because, Lord, You are Almighty God<br /
Who even the winds and seas obey

In the Name of Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords
AMEN
(1) SONG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBJJJkiRukY “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
Goodnight, Sweet Sisters, B
Attachments area
Preview YouTube video Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) – Hillsong United – Lyrics – Zion 2013

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) – Hillsong United – Lyrics – Zion 2013