Shalom, welcome to June 3^rd


><//>--------------------Thought for the Day

Some more things I do not miss since becoming saved and a disciple of the Lord: running all around looking for exciting things to do and occupy myself; forever seeking excitement; never being satisfied with friends and family and always wanting more; struggling with myself to snap out of mood swings for two or three days; wondering what it’s all about.

I’m positive I don’t miss these things, am I not?


><//>--------------------Meditation for the Day
 
Eject Sin With Love

Remember that Love is the power that transforms the world. Love not only of Me, Love not only of the few dear to you, but Love of all of the publicans – the sinners – the harlots

   It is the only weapon with which sin can be driven out. Drive sin out with Praise.

   Drive fear and depression and despair and a sense of failure out with Praise.

   Praise is the acknowledgment of that which I have sent you. Few men would send a further gift of payment until they had received the acknowledgement of the previous one. So praise, acknowledging, as it does, that My gift and blessing leaves the way open for Me to shower yet more on the thankful heart.

   Learn as a child learns to say “Thank you” as a courtesy, with perhaps no real sense of gratitude at all. Do this until at last a thrill of joy, of thankful awe, will accompany the spoken word.

   Do not expect for yourselves feeling that you know others have or have had. Just go on along the arid way of obedience, and persistence will be rewarded as you come to the Spring, the glad Spring of Water.

   On, Joy in Me, and, as for as you lies, shed Joy on all around.


><//>--------------------Prayer for the Day

Father, we pray that we may try to love You and all people. We pray that we may continually thank You for all Your blessings. Amen.


A Disciple's Reflections: Be Holy

Beloved, I once attended a meeting where a unique definition of insanity was offered. It went, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.”  Don't you just love the simplicity of this definition?

There are Bible studies and more Bible studies everyday within the bride of Messiah, but generally speaking, she doesn’t seem to be improving spiritually either in the sight of God or the world.

Men and women who don’t practice what is written in Scripture often get a false sense of accomplishment when attending or organizing bible studies. In some cases it would be better if we took one verse or principle from the teachings of Jesus and apply it to all our affairs for one week rather than reading the bible forwards and backwards and inside out daily and putting little of God's word into practice. We are chided constantly in our spirits to be doers, not just hearers of the Word of God.

Living the Word of God, under grace, is very exciting and awesome. It is my hope and prayer that by revealing my own personal experience, strength, and hope from living the Word of God without veering to the left or to the right that more and more believers will actually start to live the Word and bring Glory to God, overcoming power, and joy unto themselves for doing so.

The meditation above offered by the Spirit of God for us all to heed is really quite revealing as to how we should respond. There really is a practical way for us to approach all of God’s teachings.

For example, why do you suppose God called us to have children? While I’m certain there are an infinite number of reasons that God’s mind came up with such a system as procreation, I would like to share one of them with you.

One day in a Wal-Mart, I noticed a rather loud and demanding little boy walking the aisles with his mother. “I want this…” and “I want that…” he would proclaim followed instantly by a whining “Mommy, give me that…” The poor bedraggled woman did everything she could to quiet the child first by satiating his demands then by applying discipline, but nothing worked. 

Soon, the child's behavior worsened to the point he had to be removed from the store leaving that poor mother's mission unfulfilled. All I could do was offer up a quiet prayer for the family’s deliverance and pray that God watch over that child with favor.

It was then that the Lord spoke to my spirit with an interesting twist. He said, “Do you know why I have you raise your own children?” “Why Lord?” I asked. He then said, “Look closely how your children behave towards you, and you will see how you are behaving toward me, your Father in Heaven.”

I began to see so much of myself in that little boy. "God give me this and give me that. Why are you doing this, Lord?" and "Why is this happening?" – Just like a whining child.

Today, let us remain as a child and let us choose to have all that is ugly within us removed.  Like a child we need all the help we can get from our Father, and let us be willing to put aside the selfishness and self-centered thinking inherent in a child, and make every effort aided by God’s Spirit to be willing, teachable, and obedient.

Let us find those times to cry out, "Thank you, Lord," when we really feel like Job’s wife, who suggested Job should curse God and die.   She's a perfect example of how one could respond to God induced suffering by turning hard of heart.  They are just three little words – (thank you, Lord) – yet they have great powers of conversion. 

The Lord is calling each of us to love one another just as they are with their pride and arrogance that often surpasses that of the devil himself.  Let us remember that this is a command, and not a suggestion.

How do we mere humans love those who are without principle and live by the seat of their pants?  How do we love people who take His word and shape it to their liking? It’s humanly impossible for us alone, but with God all things are possible.

I’ve learned that thanking Him in the midst of trial and persecution changes our experience from tolerating a difficult time to sincere service in His Name and for His good purpose.

Let us be believers who want nothing within us to remain the same – let us crave change and live in an actual holiness.  Let us also find like-minded believers who will lift one another up as is so sorely needed.

To remain unchanged would be insane according to that unique definition above. Let us walk with a people who are in constant correction and enjoying it like interns or apprentices in this new life. All the while looking for the return of the Lord to make complete the promise of our Salvation.  Thoughts like these should be on our minds daily pushing out the thoughts of our daily cares and tribulations.

Looking forward in anticipation can be a wonderful mood raising exercise.  Let's keep looking together both forward and upward for our soon coming Lord.


Today's Verse

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)

Thought... Who are we waiting for? Can we think of anything more exciting than to wait for Jesus to come take us home in his glory!

Prayer...  Majestic King of the Ages may your Kingdom come in all its fullness and every knee bow to our Savior, and may you grant that it may come to pass in our generation. Through Jesus we expectantly pray. Amen.


Your Comments

Our Discussion Board:  http://www.believershope.com/discus

Please have a blessed day, be hopeful, be encouraged, and know that you are not alone.

"God Calling" compiled by A. J. Russell.
"Twenty-Four Hours A Day" Hazelton - [adapted].
Phil Ware offers Today's Verse.
Barry Gray writes A Disciple's Reflections.