As God Wills....2009!

Goals are a very important part of our lives; in fact, without goals, life would often seem pointless. Imagine playing a game like football or basketball without goals…it would be just a lot of running around, passing or kicking a ball without any intended purpose.

Life needs purpose; thus, life needs goals. But all too often, we make what we are and who we are about how we measure up to our goals. We tend to define our very existence by how accomplished we are at meeting or exceeding our goals. When we let this type of mentality take a foothold in our psyche, we set ourselves up to become boastful.

Consider the scripture in James 4: 13-15 that says, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring, What is you life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Yes, the crux of the matter for us as Christians is ALL about understanding the difference between setting our goals or making our plans to living and planning as the Lord wills.

There’s an old saying that goes something like this, “If you want to make God laugh…just tell Him your plans.” Yes, it’s oh so easy to tell God what we are going to do…then, pray and ask (or even demand) that He give us his blessing; but, if we are honest with ourselves, we know God does not work that way!!!!!

Rather, we should begin the year 2009 on our knees, with God’s word in our hands and our hearts open to His direction. We should be praying for divine insight into what God has already put in motion for next year and we should be constantly adjusting our heart and our hearing as we listen for and follow God’s leading in our lives.

If we do this, God will provide any and all of our goals for the upcoming year….and moreover, we can count on being successful in any endeavor that God has set before us….not because of who we are; how smart or talented we may be or how connected we may be…unless that connection is to the source of all power and light, Jesus Christ.

So, the year 2009 is at the doorstep…plans and goals are being made, calculated and forecast. How will you begin this New Year…setting your own agenda, establishing new resolutions or letting go and letting God? Why not plan a different approach this year…ask God what He would like to accomplish in and through you in 2009 and then, read His word…pray unceasingly…talk with wise and godly counselors and last, but not least,

Look to the Savior and follow His footsteps.


Walking His Way…Asking Others to Follow,
WPQ

Getting Ready for a New Year

Well, it’s that time of year again…when we put away the Christmas ornaments, tinsel and lights and begin the task of getting ready for a New Year. We stop looking back at our past failures and mistakes and look forward to the prospects of new beginnings….we call them New Year’s Resolutions.

This year let’s try something simple….no resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, get more exercise, eat better, eat less and on and on the list goes. This year let’s make one simple decision that will forever immeasurably impact our lives and the lives of those around us….let’s resolve, with the Lord’s help, to sin less.

You see, sin is all about us…it’s evident in the very center of the word …the letter “I”! Life becomes all about what I want, what I need, what I deserve, what I should have….I…I…I! It’s no wonder that God’s blessings can’t get through to us …they are held back by the dam of sin that separates us from His love and from our fellowship with a loving and caring Heavenly Father.

If you’re not sure of this, then take a look at Ephesians 2:1-10 and there you will read of God’s mercy toward us while we were yet sinners. But, God did not leave us in our hopeless state for scripture tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing: it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

It’s not about what you can do to make yourself better in the coming New Year…it’s about what God has already done through His Son, Jesus Christ. It’s about the mercy and grace of God. It’s about your desire to walk closer with Him on a daily basis and the only way to accomplish this is to sin less…..so we ask; how does one accomplish that?

The first thing to do is to replace the “I” in sin with the “O” and the word, sIn becomes the word, sOn ….and it’s always about the SON!!!! If you want to sin less, you need to be more like the Son of God in all you do. Is it easy, NO! Is it worth it, ABSOLUTELY!

God is calling each of us to begin the New Year resolved to sin less and to walk more like Jesus in our daily lives. He is waiting to bless each of us in ways we can not even imagine if we will just surrender to Him and allow Him to be the center of our focus. If we focus less on ourselves and more on Jesus, WE WILL SIN LESS AND OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL BE EXALTED …..

And that’s the best way to start a New Year….walking with our Lord so that others may see Jesus in us.

Will it be easy to fore go the trap of New Year’s resolutions and the fallacy that we can somehow make ourselves better and more acceptable to God? I don’t know…but this I do know; God is calling us to be salt and light to a dark and desperate world. We can not expect to keep doing things the same way and get better results…we must change and that change comes from God and God alone.

So put down your paper and pencil and your anguish over making resolutions that are too easily broken…rather focus your energies on reading God’s word and asking for the power to become the man or woman God has called you to be in 2009.

He’s just waiting to open the floodgates and make 2009 a year like no other ……the choice is up to you!


May blessings abound,
WPQ

Final Curtain on the Cast of Christmas

The stage was set…all the cast members and their understudies, past and present, were in their proper places. The director of the universe stood motionless as all creation waited for that one word…. “ACTION!”

And the spotlight of heaven shone…center stage…on the main character of this heavenly production. In fact, scripture says the following in Luke 2:6-7, “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

All creation had been waiting for this time...the perfect time in history for God’s plan of salvation to be set in motion...the perfect time for JESUS.

Now, surely, Mary was ready, after nine long months of waiting, to give birth to her son that night; but that’s not exactly the entire meaning when the scripture says “the time came for her to give birth.” God is telling us in this passage that He alone had set the stage, informed the cast and prepared the audience for His plan to unfold. His timing is always impeccable….and He would not be rushed into bringing His Son into a world that was lost and without hope.

And so, our focus each Christmas is simple….God directs the world to receive His Son whether we are ready or not. He didn’t ask for permission or consult the stars or hope this was the right thing to do …He brought His plan to fruition…and sent His Son in a form that we would understand and embrace….a baby born just like each one of us. Ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes and heart that beat within his chest….wrapped in cloth strips and laid next to his mother in a cattle’s feeding manger. The timing was God’s timing and it was perfect!!!

God sent His Son to a world that was not prepared for Him….there was no place in the inn; but, that’s where the last member of our cast of Christmas characters comes in…cue, you and me!!!!

You see, we have the same opportunity as the old innkeeper …we can decide if there is a place for the Savior in our life. We can tell him that we are just too busy; too many things to do, places to go and people to see to be bothered with all this Christmas pageantry …or we can surrender our will and our desires at Christmas to celebrate the perfect timing of our Father who gave His only Son at Christmas.

Christ left his throne, laid down His crown, stripped off His royal robes and came to earth so He could remove, once and forevermore, the great chasm of sin that separates us from our Heavenly Father.

This was the first step in the story of the cradle, the cross and the crown. It was the reason that God prepared Mary and Joseph, established the connection between Elizabeth and Mary, sent Gabriel and then, the multitude of the heavenly host to a lowly band of shepherds. Even the wise men were ordained in God’s great salvation story to present this little babe with presents fit for royalty.

And now, the final act is on stage….how will you respond as the last character in this Christmas story? Will you accept this free gift of a little babe who came to give his life to restore a right relationship with God….or will you pull the curtains closed and walk away with out professing that Jesus Christ is Lord indeed?

The question is simple….do you know this baby Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, why not invite Him into your heart this Christmas and for the first time ever…you will be able to celebrate the real, true and everlasting meaning of Christmas.

My prayer is simple this Christmas…May all those we know and love celebrate the TRUE meaning of our Savior’s birth this Christmas.

Happy Birthday, Jesus …Merry Christmas to all,

WPQ

HEALTHY...WEALTHY.....WISE MEN!

The story of the Wise Men really takes place some time AFTER the birth of Christ…but, for all of us, the Nativity scene would not be the same without the figures of the wise men kneeling at the manger. In scripture we read, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2

The first thing we learn regarding these men of wisdom…. they were searching for answers….that’s why they were constantly viewing the night sky. They were looking to the stars in the heavens to divulge the secrets of the universe. They were able to predict the changing of the seasons, the coming of storms or other weather conditions; perhaps, even the fortunes of men and countries…all from charting the movement of the constellations.

But now they had witnessed a phenomenon of great magnitude …a star in the Eastern sky that ancient manuscripts foretold would acknowledge the birth of a king…and their search of the skies led them to leave hearth and home to find this king. So, they packed up their camels and with caravan in tow, they set out to find this emperor that would rule the Jews. Unfortunately, their first encounter was Herod….a real buzz kill to be sure!

After hearing the story of the wise men’s journey, Herod was greatly troubled and sought to dupe the wise men into telling him when and where they would find this child-king. “Go and search diligently for this child and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him. After listening to the king, they went on their way.” Matthew 2:8-9a

But the best part of the story occurs next, “And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9b-11

The journey had been long; the path fraught with danger and disappointment….a surly king who offered little help; but, they had come too far to go home empty-handed. So they did what had gotten them to this point…they sought answers in the heavens and behold, the star went before them. That single, bright, illuminating star that held their focus at the beginning of their journey was still leading them to their final destination…an opportunity to worship the King…and they would not be denied.

When the star stopped, they stopped ….their search for the king was rewarded. And so they entered his presence with presents….and falling before this child, they worshipped the Savior of all mankind.

Are you wise enough to seek the child of Bethlehem….are you willing to go the distance to lay your gifts at the feet of this King of the Jews…are you searching the heavens looking for answers only God can provide?

This Christmas seek the Christ-child …diligently follow the star to the place where Jesus awaits your worship…open you heart and give him the gift greater than gold or frankincense or myrrh…give him your heart, yielded and still. Give him you obedience …give him the love and adoration of one who belongs to Him.

For on that first Christmas, He came to us so that we could come to Him….and forever belong to Him.

Be wise this Christmas….seek the Child, God’s Only Son. Then you, too, can rejoice with exceeding great joy…just like the three wise men of old.


Wiser in worship of the newborn king….Merry Christmas,

WPQ

TENDING TO THE FLOCK

That night began like any other of a thousand nights…the blazing sun sinking majestically behind the rolling Judean hills. The air became thicker, so we built a big fire and began to huddle the sheep in circles of ten. A glance to the south revealed the flicker of lights as, one by one, families began their evening prayers and gathered round the table to break bread and share the events of the day. It is a lonely and very thankless job…being a shepherd… having all who know you look down on you and your filthy occupation. But, someone had to care for the sheep; to tend to these tender lambs, so there might be meat in the village and spotless lambs for our sacrificial offerings. Besides, I was simply following in my father’s and his father’s footsteps…I had little choice in what I had become….despised by the religious rulers and tolerated by the villagers.

I was patrolling the northern perimeter of the encampment as the wind whipped around me, chilling me to the bone; I listened intently for the sound of movement through the brush… the sounds of predators on the prowl. I cinched my belt tighter and drew my cloak around me, hoping to stave off the winter night’s chill.

And then, IT HAPPENED!!! The sky was like midday as a bright light lit up the blackness of the night …for there, hovering above us all, was an angel. I fell to the ground, shaking, not from the cold but from fear…who was this and what did he want with us. He spoke quietly; softly, as he told us not to be afraid, for he came bearing Good News that was for all mankind. A savior was born and just miles away in the sleepy, little town of Bethlehem, we would find him…wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Then, to our utter amazement, the entire heavens were filled with an angelic host who sang and proclaimed the Glory of God and his desire for peace on earth.

And as suddenly as they had appeared, they vanished ….gone in an instant. At first, we were all too stunned to even speak…but as we regained our wits, we knew what we had to do…WE HAD TO SEE THIS FOR OURSELVES. So gathering our staffs and entrusting the sheep to two of our own, we quickly set out for the stable of Bethlehem.

We arrived to find everything just as the angel had described…mother Mary, her husband Joseph and their little baby, Jesus. We could not contain our joy as we told them all that had just happened to us …out in the fields, tending our flocks, doing what we were called to do.

And yet, I could not help but ponder, why us, O God? Why come to the lowliest of mankind with the greatest, most wonderful news …EVER? Why entrust us to tell others this Good News….that a Savior was born who is Christ the Lord? I could not answer that question, but neither could I constrain myself….so I did the only thing I could think to do….I set out to tell others!

Before I returned to the flock that night, I knocked on EVERY door in Bethlehem and told them the exciting news; in fact, we all did. Traveling in what could only be described as an uproarious caravan, we told everyone we knew that in a stable, just yards away, lay the Christ child…the Savior come to earth. Some believed what was told to them, though many just slammed the door, cursing that they had been disturbed by a drunken mob of shepherds. But, it did not matter to us….WE KNEW WHAT WE HAD SEEN AND WHAT WE HAD BEEN TOLD….and we glorified God for including us in telling others of what He had done that night ….that GLORIOUS night in Bethlehem.

Are you a shepherd this Christmas…busy tending to the affairs of family, friends, jobs, careers, even life itself? Are you out in the fields without a clue of what God has in store for you this Christmas? Maybe, he wants to shake-up your world…like he shook the world of those shepherds that first Christmas. Maybe, he wants you to know the excitement of the Good News that a Savior has been born; but, more importantly, He wants you to know the Savior; personally, intimately and without reservation.

Then, just like the shepherds, the excitement of that Good News will permeate everything you do as you knock on the doors of others to share what God did that very first Christmas night ….for a band of shepherds tending to their flocks in the hills near Bethlehem.


Oh, to be a shepherd this Christmas and share the wonder of it all…..

WPQ

HOW BIG IS A MULTITUDE?

Have you ever played that game where you sit in a circle (or a straight line, sitting arrangements are optional) and one person whispers a statement to the next person in line? This continues until the secret is passed from one to another and has completed the entire circle …then the one who originated the secret tells what was last conveyed to them and it is compared to the original statement. The two are very seldom the same; in fact, they often have little in common.

Thank the Lord this didn’t happen on that glorious night over two thousand years ago. I can just see the multitude of the Heavenly Host getting ready for their trip to earth to proclaim the birth of the King. One by one, wings were checked, halos were straightened and the word was spread, “Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth, good will to men.” Got it? Got it!

And then they were off to share the glorious news that God had come to earth…not as a great warrior or majestic ruler, but as a baby…and it all began in the surrounding hills of Bethlehem. For in the fields were shepherds, watching their flocks, when suddenly, out of nowhere, the sky was filled with a brilliant light as the messenger of God spoke, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for ALL PEOPLE (my emphasis). For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manager.” Luke 2:10-12

And now the plot thickens according to Scripture: “And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST; PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TO MEN!” Like 2:14

A multitude of the heavenly host….how big is a multitude anyway? Yet, here they were, in one accord, singing and praising the Lord with the same words. No distractions; no fumbling for just the right words to express their joy; no lack of unity but perfect harmony in praising the Lord Most High for the gift of His Son that first Christmas night. Yes, they sang out so that all would know to whom praise belonged.

How about you this Christmas season….are you part of the maddening throng of Christmas pretenders or are you a member of the multitude of the heavenly host? Are you praising the Lord and giving glory to God in the highest or are you just going through the motions of wishing others a Happy Holiday?

This Christmas why not join the cast of the multitude of the heavenly host… or be that angel that first appeared to the shepherds. Let the glory of God fill your heart and mind as you share with others God’s most precious gift….His son, a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. It is a gift that keeps on giving…a gift of eternal life for all who believe on the name of Jesus Christ.

May we all be angels that have been heard on high, sweetly proclaiming He is born …He is born….Hallelujah, A SAVIOR IS BORN!!!!!

Joining the multitude….proclaiming His birth,
WPQ

Christmas surprises!

Christmas is all about ….SURPRISE!!!!! From the moment we begin the Christmas shopping season, we are all looking to buy our loved ones something that will surprise them…something that catches them totally off-guard. So, on Christmas morning, when they tear away the ribbons, bows and wrapping paper and they look inside the box….they will be surprised…. And our joy will come when we see that look of surprise on the face we love.

There is one member of the cast of Christmas who is the poster boy for SURPRISE…and his name is Joseph. A young man; son of David and a carpenter by trade, he had been engaged to a lovely young maiden for probably about a year. The wedding day is drawing near when Joseph finds out that his bethrothed is with child …Surprise! And he knows that he is not the father; he knows that the marriage has not been consummated. But, he is a fair and just young man and does not wish to cause Mary any additional embarrassment….so he resolves to divorce her in a quiet manner. But as he is considering his options, scriptures says, “behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, “ Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21

SURPRISE….SURPRISE …..SURPRISE!!!!!

Joseph was going to be a father and his son was the Son of God. I don’t know about you, but that would have taken my breath away ….permanently. But not Joseph; he dealt with this monumental surprise in a clear and concise way. “When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded; he took Mary his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” Matthew 1:24-25

What can one learn from this young man of Galilee? Well, on the surface, we might discern that Joseph is a minor character in the life and story of Jesus; but, a closer inspection reveals that Joseph was a man of deep convictions and integrity. He could have done the “right thing” and simply divorced Mary and started over in his search for the perfect wife…or he could have ignored the dream as just a bad case of indigestion.

But He did neither; rather he did as commanded….and in spite of the ridicule and public shame that would be his…He loved and nurtured the surprise that was Jesus. He took lemons and made lemonade!

How ‘bout you this Christmas? Is there some “surprise” just lurking around the corner that will upset the delicate balance of your life? Will you let a “surprise” rob you of your joy this Christmas or will you, as Joseph did, step up and step out in faith to answer God’s call.

It might require a trip to a homeless shelter or soup kitchen ….a night of vigilance and prayer in the emergency room …a visit to a bereaved friend or someone in the throes of a deep depression…..not every SURPRISE is a pleasant one!

God may be waiting to see how you handle surprises….both good and bad. Why not be like Joseph and accept the challenge to serve the Lord this Christmas season…and all year through? Remember, Joseph took Mary and the child and it changed his life forever.


May your surprises be a blessing this Christmas,
WPQ

Gabriel...God's Messenger

Heavenly sunlight streamed through my window, cascading across the mountains of messages still waiting to be assigned ….I was having a hard time getting it together this morning when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Arturo standing behind me; long-faced and solemn…something totally out of character for this delightful cherub.

“He wants to see you….RIGHT NOW!” he exclaimed … “In the Throne Room, alone.” I smiled and hurried him on his way. I adjusted my robe, fluffed my wings, straightened my halo and started the hike through the halls of Heaven to stand before God Almighty. You see, my name is Gabriel and I am God’s Holy Messenger. For as long as time immortal, I have been communicating with God’s creation to notify them of His Love and His care for them. But, this must be something REALLY important since I was summoned to the Throne Room. The last time I was there, he sent me to deliver a message of answered prayer to Zechariah, husband of Elizabeth, the Barren One. God had heard their prayers and acknowledged their faithfulness …they were having a son that would prepare the way for the Messiah of God’s chosen people.

Could this be THE MESSAGE I wondered as I pushed open the massive doors to God’s inner sanctum? I bowed lowly and was summoned to come closer…then, in what was probably a whisper that reverberated throughout that great hall like a thousand symphonies, God said, “Gabriel, my most valued one, IT IS TIME! Go to the town of Nazareth in Galilee and there you will find my hand maiden, Mary. Tell her …SHE IS THE CHOSEN ONE. SHE WILL BEAR A SON AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED JESUS….for He shall save my people from their sins. And, Gabriel, easy on the bright light of you aura…we don’t want to frighten her, now do we?”

“Yes, O Holy One….I will be gentle that she may receive this message from you.” And, in a twinkling of an eye, I was gone to deliver the most important message to all of mankind.

Now, what you’ve just read is probably the results of an overactive imagination or a dramatization, if you will; however, the message is true. God gave Gabriel the task of telling Mary that Jesus was to be born of a virgin …that she was to be the earthly vessel to bring forth God’s Son. His part in the cast of Christmas is forever fixed as a messenger of Good News…and that’s what God imparts to each of us each Christmas.

We are to be the messengers of Good News. We are to proclaim, unashamedly, that God came to earth as a little child to save all people from their sins. We are to tell everyone that God loved us so much that He did not even spare His own Son; rather He sent him to a young maiden and her bethrothed so that His life’s blood would be shed for the remission of our sins.

That is the real message of Christmas….that God made a way for us to be made RIGHT with Him….so that one day, like His beloved and trusted messenger, Gabriel….we could stand before Him in the very Throne Room of Heaven and there see our Savior, seated at His right hand.

Oh…… my friends,
What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see.
When I look upon His face, the one who saved me by His grace.
Then He’ll take me by the hand and led me into His promised land;
WHAT A DAY …GLORIOUS DAY…THAT WILL BE!

And that is our message for Christmas…
So Go.... and be a Gabriel!!!!!

Telling others about My Savior,
WPQ

THE CAST OF CHRISTMAS

Over the next few days, I will be writing about the different characters that make up the Cast of Christmas. Let us examine each with open hearts and minds and find in each of them a spiritual quality that will make us more like the person God wants us to be.

Our first member of the cast is Elizabeth….Mary’s barren relative that is now pregnant with child. I know many would question how we would include Elizabeth in the Christmas story; but, let’s examine closely and I think it will become quite clear that she is the beginning of the celebration of Christmas.


Now, after Mary is visited by the angel, she makes a bee line to the hill country to visit her relative, Elizabeth. She had been told by the angel that Elizabeth, although barren for years, was now 6 months pregnant. This was great and exciting news for this young hand maiden of the Lord and I’m sure she wanted to share with Elizabeth her glad tidings.

Scripture recounts their meeting in Luke 1:40-45, “and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary came to Elizabeth to share her Good News; but Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, already knew that the Lord was with her and she began to encourage her and to ask for her blessing in the days ahead ….asking that all that God had promised this young woman would come true.

Elizabeth was Mary’s encourager. I can just see the two of them sitting side by side, holding hands, hugging each other…basking in the warmth of the love of family, great news and God’s providence. Elizabeth was humbled that Mary would come to share such great news with her and she blessed Mary for her faith that God would accomplish his will in her life. Elizabeth was outspoken in her joy for Mary and for the bond that would now exist between them as expectant mothers.

Elizabeth was the beginning of the Christmas story because she exuded the joy of knowing that the Savior of the world would soon be born ….and it was her privilege to share that joy and encourage her young relative.

Maybe today, God is calling you to exude that joy and to encourage someone else with the knowledge that in a few more days, we will celebrate the birth of our Savior. We know that Jesus came to earth to live and die that we might know Him and have everlasting life….that alone should fill your heart with joy this Christmas season…and it should give you great cause to be an encourager to all you meet….

Be an Elizabeth today…be the first in your sphere of influence to be an encourager of Christmas …share the joy and the blessing of knowing the babe in the manager.

Let your heart leap for joy and let it over flow to all you encounter today….they will be blessed and so will you!!!!!


Counting the days to His Birth,
WPQ

WHAT SEEMS TO BE

There’s the story of the small business owner that took a walk through his factory and was well pleased… until he happened upon a younger chap standing idly on the loading dock. He huffed up to the young man and opening his wallet, handed him a hundred dollar bill and said, “Here, go spend your time some where else.” Somewhat puzzled, the young man stared at the owner, took the money and left. Turning to the shop foreman, the owner asked, “How long has that guy been working for us?” Came the reply, “He doesn’t work for us; he was Joe’s ride home.”

Things are not always as they seem. Even the mirror on the passenger side of our car warns us that objects may be closer that they appear. Perception is not always reality. In fact, it is often far from it.

Take Noah…..his neighbors perceived that he was a nut….building an ark when there was no visible sign of water; however, their perception changed when the raindrops got big. Likewise, the children of Israel believed that all was lost as they stood on the banks of the Red Sea with the entire Egyptian army bearing down on them; however, their perception of doom changed to joy as the Lord parted the sea and they made their way across on dry land.

But my favorite change in perception was in the mighty prophet, Elijah, who had just defeated the prophets of Baal and was now in hot retreat from Jezebel and her oath to see him killed. In 1 Kings 9:14, we read, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, EVEN I ONLY, am left and they seek my life, to take it away.” Elijah, this great man of God, was the ONLY ONE LEFT to stand up for God in all of Israel...at least that was his perception. But, in verse 18 we hear God say, “Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed down to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

What seemed to be was not….God was already at work to protect Elijah from death, but moreover, He was raising up a multitude of others ready, willing and able to worship the Lord of Israel. He was not alone. His perception was NOT reality.

Next time it seems that everything and everyone seems to be against you, remember this story of Elijah…your God is already at work, often behind the scenes, changing the circumstances, altering the status quo, working on your behalf to change the outcome for your good and His Glory.

Walking His Way,
WPQ

Open the Door..Just Do It Today!

There is one sound or phrase that you will NEVER hear coming out of our Lord’s mouth….

OOPS or OH MY!

That is a sound that is made by man not by our God on High…for nothing has EVER caught our God by surprise. He has never had to “go with Plan B”, search for a “better alternative” or even questioned “if this was good for all concerned.”

HE IS GOD… and His ways are higher and better than ours. We can not begin to fathom the depths of His ways nor understand the “whys” of His heart; but, we can trust who he is and we can find great comfort and hope in the desires of His heart.

His word says in Hebrews that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow.” In other words, GOD NEVER CHANGES … and in a world that is in constant flux and seemingly unending change, this knowledge should give us hope and peace in spite of our circumstances.

You may be dealing with a job change or loss…aging parents and how to care for them…teenagers that are hell bent on self destruction….facing retirement with limited funds…or a myriad of who knows what….but that’s okay, GOD KNOWS WHAT… AND HE STANDS READY WITH HIS HEAVENLY HOST TO COME TO YOUR RESCUE.

None of the calamities that may be fall us ever catch God off guard…He is prepared to deal with each one. He just needs your permission…for God will not force himself or His will on you. He said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
He is waiting just outside your door. Do you hear him knocking …are you listening for his voice…are you willing to ask Him to come in and break bread with you?

Help is just on the other side of the door. If you open it and invite God in, He will make your path straight; he will guide you beside the still waters; he will restore your soul…..and he will give you the abundant life for which you were created.

God can deal with any problem, forgive any sin, cleanse the blackest heart and make new that which is dead…the choice is yours!

Why not invite the Master to be the Lord and Savior of your life…why not do it today? He will not stand at the door and knock forever…he will not continue to call your name and be ignored, shouted down by the cares of this material world. One day, you will draw your last breath and this life will be over; but, your eternity will have just begun!

Where will you spend eternity…. Forever with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit…or in the lake of fire?

OPEN THE DOOR AND INVITE THE SAVIOR IN ….IT’S A DECISION THAT WILL CHANGE YOU …AND YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY…STARTING TODAY!!!!

Changed forever by the One that never changes,

WPQ



If life is filled with strife and stress
No peace for the troubled heart
Just listen for the Savior’s voice
Then your fears will soon depart.

He’s standing at your heart’s door
If you open the door you’ll find
The Father will come in to you
And bring sweet peace of mind.

W. Patrick Queen

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Here’s a new twist to an old saying:

Due to the recent financial difficulties, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off!

Now, I know that things are not as good as they could be; but, heaven knows they could be worse. So on this special day that we as Americans set aside to give thanks ….let us do just that….GIVE THANKS!

In fact, in God’s word that is an imperative, a command from the Great I AM.

Throughout the Psalms, David continually wrote to praise the Lord and to give thanks. In Chapters 106 and 118, he begins each psalm with this admonition, “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.” Time and time again, David reminds us to give thanks…to let our hearts overflow with thanksgiving. In fact, in over 33 passages in the Bible, we are commanded to give thanks to our Father who is the giver of every good gift.

On this Thanksgiving Day, maybe you’re bank account isn’t as fat as you would like…but if you have any spare change just lying around the house, you are already wealthier than 75% of the world’s population. If you have a roof over your head, clothes and shoes to wear and get even one meal a day, you are living above the poverty level of 85% of those in third world countries.

Yes, times are hard for many of us here in America, but that does not relieve us of our command to obedience to give thanks to our Heavenly Father. But, we should give thanks not out of duty or obedience, but rather out of love and gratitude for the immeasurable blessings of God on this great nation.

Times may be hard and they may become harder…but we, as followers of Christ, are called to a higher standard of thanksgiving…we are to praise him and give thanks in ALL things…the good and the bad…in the best of times and the worst of times.

Today, do this….set aside some time to make a list of the things for which you can give thanks and after each one, BLESS THE NAME OF JESUS….tell Him, personally, what and why you are thankful and how, even if that blessing were striped away, you would still give thanks and bless his name…..for scripture tells us, “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul.”

That is my prayer of thanksgiving today…not for the blessing of my beautiful wife or the sweetness of my lovely daughter, although both are my joy and treasure; but, for the saving of my soul …that my name is written in capital letters in the Lamb’s Book of Life and that my eternal destiny is settled …and one day, very soon, I’m going home to be with my Savior.

If you, too, know the indescribable joy of being a child of the King….then,


HAPPY THANKSGIVING…..MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH MANY MORE,

WPQ

TO FLEECE OR NOT TO FLEECE?

Have you ever wrestled with a problem or had trouble dealing with making a decision that might change the course of your life?

Well, if you’re still breathing, the answer is an emphatic YES!!!! And don’t look now, but, as you get older and, as some would deem, wiser….it still does not get any easier; especially if you are trying to walk in a Godly and forthright manner.

That’s why I love the story of Gideon.

Now, Gideon was the son of Joash the Abiezrite, one of the least of the clans in Manasseh and the weakest in his clan, when God’s angel appeared to him and proclaimed him to be a “mighty man of valor.” The angel shared how God had heard the cries of His people and was sending Gideon to “save Israel from the hand of the Midian.” After Gideon confirmed the revelation of God’s angel by having a meal he prepared for him totally consumed by fire, the plot began to thicken ….and poor Gideon was faced with some very difficult decisions.

God instructions led to the destruction of the altar to Baal and to the establishment of an altar to the God of Israel…which really riled up the locals and set the stage for battle. Gideon sent out the cry for warriors throughout Manasseh to come prepared to follow him into battle; yet, Gideon was still having second thoughts as to his role in God’s redemptive plan for Israel. So, he did the only thing he could think of …he put God to the test.

“Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And it was so. When he arose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but that would have been all the confirmation I needed to move out to accomplish the goals that God had set before me….at least, I hope that would get me moving. But, I am probably more like Gideon than I would care to admit.

“Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only and on all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.” Judges6:36-40

Gideon had his answer because he was not afraid to ask. Too often, we come to some cross road in our life and we need heavenly guidance to assure that we are making the right choice …that God is going with us or that it is He that has called us to this time of decision….but, we freeze and in fear, we simply don’t put God’s will to the test.

There have been many times in my life that I have used Gideon’s approach to come to a major decision and in each circumstance, God has been FAITHFUL!
You see, God wants us to ask for his guidance, direction, confirmation and especially, His blessings on the activities and choices that make up our life. After all, we are here for His purpose and though we are not robots, we are made to be happy when we do the Father’s will and accomplish the tasks He has ordained.

So, the next time you come to a time of consternation regarding a life choice or there looms on the horizon a battle that God has called you to fight…pull a Gideon and fleece the Lord.

Go ahead ….God’s up for the challenge …He won’t hold your anxiety against you… only the fear of failing to ask will keep your paralyzed from making a godly decision.

It worked for Gideon…it will work for you!!!


Moving forward in faith…thankful for His answers,
WPQ

Change...Is It A Good Thing?

I don’t know about you; but, if you’re anything like me….change does not come easy and it is hardly ever welcomed. Oh, I know there is that rare bird that lives for change, but, let’s face it, they’re probably a few feathers short when it comes to their wingspan.

No! Change is Hard! That’s why I am so proud of me. Yesterday, I instituted a change for me and I did it all on my own volition. Now, it’s not a big change, but it is still change. I now get up each morning at 5:50 to begin my day with the Lord.

My old routine had me rising at about 6:50 or so, helping my wife with any morning activities that would help her and our daughter make the departure for work and school on time, then a brisk walk around the neighborhood, followed by breakfast. Then, I would make the trek upstairs to my “writing chair” and settle in to have my Quiet Time with the Lord. I began by reading a devotional, spent time in the Word and then closed the time with prayer. Now, I always promised myself that I would stay and spend as much time as God wanted me to spend with him before plowing into the rest of my daily activities….but, in my mind, time was always constraining me to “get moving to make hay while the sun shine.” So, God got some of me….not the best of me!

That’s why my change is so significant….now I meet Him first thing in the morning. I begin my day drawing close to the Lord. I read His Word and listen for Him to speak. I pray and thank Him for the challenges that await me in the day that He has blessed and set before me…and I promise, by His grace, to meet Him again tomorrow at the same time. I must admit, change is good.

In fact, God’s word says so in Lamentations 3:22-25, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.”

Is God good to you? Do you know and experience His new mercies each morning? Do you give God the best part of you or do you ration him a portion of the leftovers? Maybe, it’s time for some radical thinking….maybe; IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE.

Why not give it a try? Give God the start of each new day. Covenant to meet Him first thing each morning, even if only for a week…just to see how it goes! I can speak from experience that I am already seeing a difference in me and in my walk with the Lord.

The poem that follows is my gift to God from our meeting yesterday….may you be blessed as you consider any change that brings you in closer communion with our Lord.

Rising early….Seeking His Face,

WPQ



WHEN I MEET YOU IN THE MORNING



When I meet you in the morning, I begin the day anew
And morning’s light is filtered through the mist of morning dew.

When I meet you in the morning and take the time to stop and pray;
I know that you will walk with me…. every step throughout my day.

When I meet you in the morning, I take your word and there I read;
A message you’ve meant just for me…. or a lesson I should heed.

When I meet you in the morning and I listen to hear your voice;
My spirit is encouraged, Lord, and my soul seeks to rejoice….

My thoughts are set on you dear, Lord, at dawn’s first early light;
And heaven’s gates are flung open wide as my spirit soars in flight.

I’m gathered at the Throne Room’s door and there I’m ushered in
To a quiet time with the one I love…My Savior and My Friend.

Oh, how I love our quiet time when morning breaks anew;
For you are there to hold me close in this special time with you….

May I never take for granted, Lord, this blessed time you spend with me;
For the glimpse of heaven’s glory….for the wonders revealed to me.

As I meet you every morning, Lord, and open your Holy word;
I ask that you will help me hear the message you want heard…..

I ask that you will grant me, Lord, a willing heart, each day anew;
So others who may see my life will know I belong to you.

For when I meet you every morning, Lord, on this promise I shall depend;
One day you’ll call me home to glory…to where the mornings never end.


W. Patrick Queen
November 2008

Succesful Living in Today's World

During the last couple of weeks, my Sunday school class has been studying the biblical character, Timothy. I have been constantly amazed at the maturity and level-headedness of this young man. Now that could be due to the time and energy that the great apostle Paul poured into this young man as his friend, confidant and mentor; but, I believe it was in large part due to the willing heart and love of service to the Lord Jesus Christ that made Timothy a real man of God.

Paul was constantly sending Timothy into some of the most impossible situations as he traveled from church to church….often, the bearer of reproach, correction and discipline for a flock gone astray….but, always we read of Timothy’s cool head and diplomacy as he delivered his message from Paul. How could one so young with little formal training become such a great pastor? Let’s look at Paul admonition to his young protégé and see what he took to heart.

In 1 Timothy 4: 7, Paul tells Timothy to “Train yourself in godliness….for godliness is beneficial in every way since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” He continues in verses 12-13 by saying, “No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity. Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation and teaching”….and in verse 15, “Practice these things; be committed to them so that your progress may be evident to all. Be conscientious about yourself and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this your will save both yourself and your hearers.”

What a great mission statement for young Timothy… and for us. If you are seeking a roadmap that leads to successful Christian living in a wicked and despicable world, follow these words to young Timothy….be an example in what you say, what you do, how and what you love, in your demeanor and in what you put into your mind and body.

Sound simple? Of course….it’s the execution of such a life style that is the true test of who we are and to whom we have committed our lives. Are you committed to live for Jesus today? Are you willing to train yourself in godliness and to practice a lifestyle that honors God?

As a former PGA professional, I have had the opportunity to give many a golf lesson to beginning and aspiring golfers and my advice has always been the same to each of my students, “PRACTICE DOESN’T MAKE PERFECT…PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT.”

Now, if you want to have a good golf swing, you do need to practice; but you need to practice the RIGHT things to accomplish your goals and become a better golfer. Same holds true in living the Christian life….YOU MUST PRACTICE THE RIGHT THINGS…THE “GODLY” THINGS if you want to stand at the Bema seat of Christ and hear those words we all long to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant; enter now into the joy of the Lord.”

How will you stand before your Creator…..trembling because you know that you let Him down or in anxious anticipation for the joy of the Lord?

The choice is up to you ….it’s all in how and what you

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!!


Practicing the Basics…..Living for the Reward,

WPQ

MOVIN" OUT ...MOVIN" UP!

There is a story concerning David in I Samuel that we should all take to heart …it goes like this….

David was still on the run from his adversary, Saul, when he and his band of 400 misfits took shelter in the cave of Adullam. David went from there to Mizpeh, to the King of Moab and asked the king to let his mother and father reside with him …at least, as scripture says, “till I know what God will do for me.” He hurried back to the cave and there remained…hunkered down in his stronghold.

Now, the stronghold was indeed a refuge from his enemies and a place where he and his men could take rest, eat and keep out of the elements; however, after some time in this stronghold, I am quite confident this place became a bastion of disappointment and despair. After all, David had been anointed to be the next King of Israel; he had defeated Goliath and the Philistines and had won many other battles under the flag of the king. This was NO PLACE for a man of his reputation and promise…that’s why the prophet Gad arrived with this edict from the Lord, “Do not remain in the stronghold; depart and go into the land of Judah.” I Samuel 22: 5


So, David, ever the obedient man of God, departed to the forest of Hereth. Now, I’m not sure what was waiting for David in the forest…but this I do know…. Judah means “praise”…. and God was calling David to leave the safety and despair of his stronghold and step out in praise to the Lord of Hosts. He was called by the prophet to leave behind the old ways…to move out and…MOVE UP TO THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD!!!!

Maybe that’s where you find yourself today…..You’ve been, or are being, pursued by your enemies. You’ve found a stronghold that gives you a moment’s peace from the worried and hectic pace of life. You feel safe, but you know it is only temporary. You feel disheartened and you’re sure that no one understands …or even cares!

Well, think again my friend…GOD CARES and he is calling you to move out and make your way to your land of Judah (PRAISE)…to move up to the life that is waiting for you as you seek God’s will and walk in His ways. He is calling you out of the cave of constraint into the forest of fulfillment….He is calling you to cast aside the discouragement that keeps you shackled from living in fullness and to breathe deeply the clean air of praise that will fill your life to overflowing abundance.

Yes, our God is calling you to MOVE OUT AND MOVE UP….to see life from a mountaintop view of obedience and to know that HE THAT IS FOR US IS FAR GREATER THAN He that stands against us.

Live like a King…or at least follow in his footsteps and depart from you stronghold to the high calling that God has before you…enter today into your land of Praise…you’ll find God is waiting there to meet you …for He cares for you!!!!

Breaking down strongholds…living in obedience,
WPQ


Discouraged, down-hearted,
Filled with despair and doubt;
Until I broke down the stronghold….
I’m Movin” up by Movin’ out!!!!

Paralysis by Analysis….

Have you ever wondered if God has given you a special calling…yet, you weren’t quite sure if you were getting the “right vibes” to pursue His calling? Or maybe, you’ve had great and wonderful plans to do some magnificent work for the Lord, yet, you’ve never gotten out of the starting blocks.

Whatever your current situation, you may find you’ve become a prisoner of the mindset of PARALYSIS BY ANALYSIS…a common trap our adversary uses to keep us frozen in our tracks, sitting on the sidelines of life.

Now granted, we do have to be careful not to do too much boasting about our plans, as James advises in chapter 4, verses 13-15 as he writes, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”; yet, you do not know what tomorrow will bring? WHAT IS YOUR LIFE (my emphasis)? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes; instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

If the Lord wills ….that’s the starting block that gets you off and running to accomplish great and wonderful things in the name of the Savior. But, if you’re like me, you’re often wondering if the project you wish to accomplish is really the Lord’s will? Well, here are 4 questions that I have used for quite some time that might help you decide… the answers to these questions will help you determine if God will bless the fruits of your labor.

1- What is the foundation this project is based on?

2- What experiences in my life demonstrate God’s involvement in this endeavor?

3- What is my motivation for entering into this activity or project?

4- Do I have the skills, abilities and commitment to accomplish this task?

If after prayer and supplication, you can answer these questions with a clear mind and an honest heart, I think you will see if God is truly leading you to accomplish the task you desire. We have all heard the old saying that “God does not guide where He does not provide”….. So, truly, the answers you receive will make your pathway abundantly clear and you can get off the bench and into the game.

Don’t stay frozen by fear, stuck in a stupor or paralyzed in a panic….trust your Heavenly Father to lead you to accomplish all that He desires for you to do …you will gain the victory and the GLORY WILL BE HIS…..

Living in victory….one day at a time,
WPQ

LIVING THE SIMPLE LIFE

“Oh, to live a simple life…one without all the hustle and bustle that makes us fret and worry …one that is pleasing to the Lord …one that is peaceful and satisfying.”

That thought seems to permeate my every waking minute these days as I watch the TV and the plethora of political advertisements that are played before me…each one designed to bash the opposing candidate and make me want to vote for the candidate that is “approving this message.” It seems that from the messages that are being relayed by the candidates that a simple life these days is strictly out of the question….

Unless you turn the TV off and turn to God’s word…and Paul's writings to the Thessalonians. Paul tells them, in a loving but forceful manner, the secrets to a simple life in Chapter 5, verses 14-22.

“And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are lazy, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for another and for all.”

And then, as Paul continues, he lists six of what I like to call “stepping stone” fundamentals. Each of these fundamentals is written with the express design to help us across the quagmire of a hectic life. If we are willing and able to follow these simple steps, we can achieve our goal to have a walk of peace and serenity with our Lord ….a simple walk of faith that dispels fret and worry and gives us the life we desire.

Even if we falter or fail to achieve each of these steps, our lives will be richer and more rewarding if we only accomplish a few of the following….So, go on, take the first step to


REJOICE ALWAYS….in all things find the joy that passes understanding.

PRAY CONSTANLY…remember, God is in the small stuff, He’s just waiting to hear you ask for His help.

GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING…for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

DON’T STIFLE THE SPIRIT…. He is living inside you to help you become like Christ.

DON’T DESPISE PROPHECIES…..rather test all things and hold fast to what is good.

STAY AWAY FROM EVERY FORM OF EVIL….the Bible says “FLEE”; however, if you steer clear of evil, you won’t have to run from it.

These six simple guidelines will permit you to live a God-fearing, God-honoring life …..And what can be simpler than that!

REMEMBER……God has called each of us to cast all our burdens on Him, to seek His face and to walk in daily communion with our Lord….and quite simply put, that’s THE LIFE WE WERE CREATED TO ENJOY!

Walking His Way….Living the Simple Life,
WPQ

LOOKING BACK TO FORGE AHEAD

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have difficulty in letting go of the past.

I guess it's for that reason alone that Paul admonishes us in Philippians 3 to forget what lies in the past and to strain forward to what lies ahead in order that we might press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus……


And believe me, I’m all for that; but sometimes my lack of faith keeps me frozen in the position I’m in…. neither moving forward nor sliding back. It is in times like these that I must look back in order to forge ahead.

Let me explain….God has been so very, very, VERY GOOD TO ME. It is when I look back that I can see the providential hand of God at work in my life and I know that the God of my past is still in control of the present and knows what lies ahead in my future. So, I ask myself,why do I stand there frozen in complacency, when God has called me to serve Him in expediency. The answer, simply put.....I’ve forgotten all that God has done for me, and through me, in my past.

Now,we all travel through the valley of adversity wondering if we will ever come out of the other side; yet, when we place our faith and trust in God, WE ALWAYS DO…often scarred, broken, even bitter that our travel and travail have been so deep; but, our Father who loves us with an unwavering love, ALWAYS, ALWAYS HAS OUR BEST INTEREST AT THE HEART OF HIS HEART.

So, the next time adversity rears its ugly head in your life or things seem to have come to a standstill, I encourage you to do what I do ….look back to the faithfulness of your Heavenly Father and all that He has done for you; the blessings that have been yours; the divine intervention that kept you safe and secure in this evil and despicable world.

You will see as revealed in His Holy Word in Job 12:22, “He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light."….and as you stand, firmly grounded on the mountaintop and cast a glance to the valley below, you will see all that God has brought you through. Maybe then, you will understand that in each situation, God has made a spiritual deposit in your life upon which you can draw and that because of this and the tough times that God has seen you through...your faith account in Him can never be overdrawn.

I don’t know about you, but there are too many things in my past that still plague me; however, I am so thankful that I am leaving these in the rear view mirror as I travel life’s highway with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ….and now, I try to only look back when it will help me forge ahead.

I hope you’ll do the same….after all, God’s counting on each of us in the days that lie ahead to be SALT & LIGHT to His world…

Looking forward …straining for the prize,
WPQ

Unto these Hills

I just returned from my early morning walk around my neighborhood and let me just say, WOW!!!!! WHAT A GLORIOUS MORNING.

To see the changing of the trees as they shed summer’s green for fall’s foliage of red, yellow, orange and crimson is truly a sight to behold. I can just see our heavenly Father, with brush in hand and the earth as His canvas, making stroke after tireless stroke as He paints His masterpiece in the hills and valleys of our world.

There is a high ground in our neighborhood that allows you to look north and see the mountains in the Upstate and into North Carolina’s Blue Ridge chain. Even from this great distance, you can see the changing of the color guard as the mountains take on the palettes of fall. This morning, I was truly mesmerized by the crystal blue sky as it seemed to kiss the top of each mountain peak. Now, I have lived before, as many of you do now, in an area that was “vertically challenged” and each fall, I felt like something was missing …that somehow, fall was not truly fall (my favorite time of the year). It was the lack of those mountain peaks that left the fall experience somewhat diminished.

But not today….My heart seemed to sing and before I knew it my step had slowed and I was standing still, just taking in the sight of those mountains …stretching, straining toward Heaven and their Creator. It was then that I realized that even in the midst of all that is strangling our country and perplexing us on every side, there is peace to be found on the mountaintops.

God’s word says it best in Psalms 121:1-2, “I lift my eyes unto the hills. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” But there’s even more comfort in the rest of the passage… “He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day or the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. (My emphasis) The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:3-8.

The one who made those mountains is still in charge ….and He’s just waiting for us to turn from our wicked ways and acknowledge Him as Lord. God is ready to help; in fact, He’s already done His part ….the rest is up to you and me. Do we trust our God and His sovereignty in our lives or do we want to wear the crown and be the one in charge? That’s a question that we must answer everyday if we truly want to know the “peace that passes all understanding.”

I am so thankful for my walk this morning….it allowed me a glimpse of God’s majesty and it calmed my trouble soul. Those “hills” will be etched in my mind as I look to my Lord and Savior for his direction today….I trust and pray that you too will find that peace that only God can give and you will know that our God never sleeps, never slumbers …FOR HE IS ALWAYS JUST A PRAYER AWAY !


Living Large in His Family,
WPQ

Praying for November 4th

It has been several weeks since I lasted posted a daily devotional here at Salt & Light. I wish I could say that I have been too busy trying to learn the ins and outs of a new job or that I was caught up in many spiritual endeavors that kept me from my keyboard; however, the simple truth is that I have been too despondent with our situation here in America to think clearly and write plainly.

That ended yesterday while having my quiet time and reading from my devotional book, TGIF by Os Hillman. Os’ wrote concerning the need to pray for those in authority via Paul’s exhortation to young Timothy in 1Timothy 2:1 which reads, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority.”

Paul tells his young protégé to make the first work of the church prayer and intercession for those in authority….and I believe he was not only speaking of our elected officials, but also your boss, your pastor or anyone that has been placed in a position of leadership and authority. We have probably all believed that those in politics, military, religion and economics have somehow always controlled the earth; but, in our society today, we are seeing the transfer of God’s anointing upon all the saints in the body of Christ in order to get His will accomplished here on earth.

And nowhere will that be more evident than on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 when we, as followers of the one true God, go to the poles to cast our vote for our future leaders. We should be praying for the anointing of the one that God has chosen to lead us through these difficult and trying days…our nation is under fire from all sides. In fact, our ability and right to worship freely; our ability to decide our own economic fate based on our efforts and hard work; our right to be a sovereign nation…..all these and so much more hang in the balance on that day…..a day that may well decide whether America will continue to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.

What can you do you might ask? First, do what Paul told young Timothy to do….PRAY, PRAY AND CONTINUE TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR NATION!!!!! Secondly, go to the poles early and vote for John McCain….he may not be all that we would like for him to be, but he is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE. Thirdly, in a humble and loving way, encourage everyone you know to pray for the election of John McCain and to do their part to make this happen. This is not one of those times that you can sit idly by and hope that someone else will do what must be done ….you are that SOMEONE!!!!

And lastly…..don’t forget to thank God for the opportunity to stand in line to cast your ballot….so many across this world have NO idea what that is like…to actually have a voice in choosing who will be their leader. If you take this opportunity to vote for granted, it may very well be taken away in the not too distant future.

THIS ELECTION IS THAT SERIOUS….don’t be fooled or lulled into a false sense of security regarding what lies ahead for our great nation…your vote will determine who leads this country through the worst economic times we have ever faced …..My prayer is simple ……God help us as only He can!


Voting for God’s leader ….praying for those in authority,
WPQ

Good news ...or Bad news?

So many of us today, even in perilous times, want to view the world through our rose-colored glasses. We refuse to listen to bad news and often close our ears to anything that might upset us. We only want to hear GOOD NEWS.

In fact, it seems to be a game for many folks. We have all had someone say to us, “I have some good news and some bad news…which do you want to hear first?” And usually, without fail, we always want to hear the good news first.

So here goes……

The GOOD NEWS is simply this…..John 3:16, “For God so loved the world (your name goes here) that He gave His only Son that whosoever (your name goes here) believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

And that, in its simplest form is the good news that God has delivered to His creation….if we believe that Christ died for our sins and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we have eternal life with the Father and His only Son.

THAT’S THE GOOD NEWS AND NOW, THE BAD……

Later in the same chapter, John 3: 36, spells out the bad news, “Whoever (your name goes here) believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever (your name goes here) does not obey the Son shall NOT see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (your name goes here).”

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and friend….then; you are welcome at the feast that is being prepared for those who have been adopted into the family of God. If you do not know him, the consequences are spelled out in no uncertain terms….the WRATH OF GOD IS UPON YOU.


Not sure what that means? Just take a walk through the Old Testament and see how God dealt with the enemies of His people…it’s not a pretty picture….that is why I’m so thankful that I will not have to endure God’s wrath.

But you say, “That’s the Old Testament God of hell, fire and brimstone. The God of the New Testament is all about LOVE.” And that is true, for in the New Testament, God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

However; the verse you read above comes from the NT and it is the promise from a God that is holy and just. You will reap what you have sown …unless the shed blood of Christ covers your sin and your faith in His Son becomes the substitution for your disobedience, rebellion and disdain for a holy God.

The Good News…..God is waiting for you; willing and able to apply the sacrifice of His Son’s shed blood to redeem you and to usher you into His Kingdom as a joint heir with Christ….

The Bad News…..if you have not made a decision for Christ, then you have made a decision against Christ…. and the wrath of God is hanging over you like a mighty ax about to fall.

Don’t delay and run the risk of passing into eternity without Christ….the stakes are too high….your eternal life, where and how you spend it, hangs in the balance.

If you want to make that decision today, just pray this simple prayer….

Heavenly Father,
I am a sinner and I am living apart from the plan you have for my life. I confess my sin and ask Jesus to come into my heart and live. Make me a new creature with a heart for you and instruct me so that I may follow Jesus in all I say and do. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I want to live for Him everyday. Thank you for saving me and making me part of your family.
AMEN.

If you just prayed this prayer, I’ve got GOOD NEWS for you….welcome to the Kingdom of God…you are a Child of the KING.

BLESSED AS HIS CHILD,

WPQ

Spending time with Jesus

Remember that old saying that everyone always uses…”Sometimes, you can’t see the forest for the trees.” I feel sure that this saying was almost a life’s motto for one of my favorite bible stories involving a tax collector by the name of Zacchaeus.

Poor old Zack was always the shortest guy in the place and I can just picture him when he heard that Jesus was coming through the city of Jericho. He certainly wanted to see this man who was doing such great and might works throughout the region, but he knew it would be like any other time that a crowd was involved….he would have to push and shove and crawl and climb…..Wait a minute, that was it. He needed to climb…..he needed to climb above the fray and frustration of the maddening throng if he wanted to see Jesus. If he couldn’t shove his way to the front of the crowd, he would just climb above them. So he ran ahead on the road that would surely bring Jesus his way, found just the right sycamore tree and climbed up its branches to a spot that assured him the best view of the Master.

And then, something great and wonderful and totally unexpected happened…Jesus looked up, saw him and told him to hurry and come down since they were going to be spending the day together…..and before that day ended, Zacchaeus was a CHANGED MAN!!!!

You and I, often, find ourselves in the same predicament as old Zack…we want to see Jesus, but the toils and cares, the frustrations and frantic pace of today’s world, the “to do” list that never seems to shrink but only grows longer…..all these “things” and so much more keep us from seeing the one that means more than anything to us.

We want to spend time with the Master and just like Zacchaeus, the Lord of Hosts wants to spend time with us. So the solution is really quite simple…..find your sycamore tree and just climb. Climb above the fray, climb to a new height so you can see Jesus. Leave behind all those “giants” that are blocking your view, find the branch that gives you the best vantage point and just spend time with the Master. He will look up and see you waiting for him and He will invite you to come down and meet Him ….to share a quiet meal as you feast on the Bread of Life and devour His word. When you do this, you will have left behind the maddening crowd, your worldly problems and all that hinders you from seeing the Master ….and there in your sycamore tree…. YOU WILL MEET JESUS.

I trust that no matter what hinders you from spending time with the Master will be set aside and your life will be touched in a new way today.

Go on, have a great climb…..the Master’s waiting to spend some quality time with the one He loves…YOU!

Living in the moment…looking forward to eternity,
WPQ

Living on the Sidelines

There are many Christians in our world today that are living on the sidelines of life. They have given there hearts to the Lord, asked for forgiveness and been “born again”; but it is at that point there growth stops.

They are playing it safe…not venturing too far from the safe harbor of church, home and family. They have heard the Great Commission, but somehow have determined that it doesn’t apply to them. Their witness is lukewarm at best; their motto being, “No harm, No foul!” They applaud the good works of others, but seldom look for opportunities to share their faith and be counted for God in a world that is increasingly hostile.

Christ had something important to say about this in Matthew 16:24-26, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?”

In other words, playing it safe just won’t cut it for God. He is calling each of us out of our “comfort zones” and challenging us to take up our cross and live a life for Him. Sure, there will be hardships, trials, set-backs, disappointments and calamities….but where’s the profit in playing it safe and missing out on all that God has promised his faithful followers. Christ told us that He came to give us LIFE….and what are you exchanging for the life that Christ has promised?

There's a payoff to the rest of this passage in Matthew as Christ continues in verse
27, “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of the Father….and then He will REWARD each according to what he has done”….(or my thought, how he has lived).

How you live, what you do for Christ and His Kingdom, the willingness to lose your life in obedience to Him….all these will determine what Christ and His angels bring with them as your reward. So, take a good look at your life…do you like what you see? Are you losing your life in Christ and do others truly see Jesus in you?

There’s an old saying that applies to any contest that says, “YOU CAN’T WIN UNLESS YOU ENTER…..and that surely applies to life. You can not be all that God wants you to be; you can not accomplish all that God wants you to do; you can not live the life that God desires for you…living on the sidelines.

You’ve got to get in the game, mix it up and trust that God will make all things work out for good as you love Him and seek His face. Lose your life in Him and you’ll come out the winner… It’s a PROMISE you can believe ….and a life that’s well worth living….

Remember…YOU’VE GOT TO ENTER TO WIN…. And Jesus will soon return with your prize….ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM.


Counting the days…watching the eastern sky,
WPQ

Looking For God

There is a story of a woman who lost her husband of many years very suddenly. She was extremely distraught and very lonely, so at the advice of some friends, she decided to get a pet. She went to the pet store and looked at all the dogs, cats and other animals and finally decided to take home a talking parrot. She was sure that a conversing bird would be just the right fix for her loneliness; but after a week or more, the bird had not said a word, so she went back to the pet store.

The clerk informed her that she needed a ladder for the bird to climb upon and if he had a ladder, he would begin to talk. She bought the ladder, returned home and placed in the cage. Another week or so went by with still not a peep from the bird, so she went back to the store. Seems that the clerk failed to mention that she needed to place a mirror at one end of the ladder so the bird would see himself, be content and then, begin to speak. She purchased the mirror and home she went. After another week of silence, she returned to the store, visibly upset that the bird that she bought for companionship was still not talking. The clerk asked if she have a swing in the cage upon which the bird could perch. Her response was an emphatic, NO! He assured her that if she bought the swing and placed it in the cage, the bird would talk and talk and talk. She bought the swing…..

But, the bird did not talk; rather, IT DIED!!!! So, she gathered the cage and her dead bird and stormed back to the pet store. She told the clerk that she had done everything and bought everything that he had suggested, yet the bird would not talk and now, it was dead. The clerk asked her if the bird ever said anything during the month plus that she owned it. …Her reply, “Well, right before he died, he said, “Don’t they have any food down at that pet store?”

You see, the woman missed the obvious. She was so busy trying to make the bird happy so it would talk that she failed to give it one of the things it needed most to survive...

You and I are a lot like that woman in our daily walk with the Lord. We are so busy trying to “do” for the Lord in service and activity that we miss one of the most essential reasons that we are alive ….our fellowship with the Father.

From the onset of creation, God has been about the union and fellowship that He desires with His creation. In Genesis, chapter 3, verse 8, we read, “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the evening, and the man and woman hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God in the trees of the garden.”

Now God was not out walking for the exercise; He was seeking to spend some quality time with His creation, but their sin had broken that fellowship and they hid themselves from Him. All that God had in store for them was undone in that act of disobedience.

The same is true for us today. God has so much He wants to give us, so much that He wants to accomplish through us; but that bond…that fellowship must remain unbroken if we are to truly live for Jesus. Christ said it best when He said, “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.”

God wants to give you His best! He wants to know you intimately and for you to know His heart and mind. But, if your focus is on reputation rather than relationship, on activity rather than an aspiration to belong to Him, on situations rather than substance….then, just like our widow in the story above,
YOU WILL MISS THE OBVIOUS…..

You were made by God….for God …to serve God …to worship God, and most of all, to belong to God in a close relationship that is found in His Son, Jesus Christ.

I trust you are seeking His face today…I know He is looking for you.

Growing daily in Him,
WPQ

Do you know Jesus.....

My question for today is quite simple....DO YOU KNOW JESUS? Are you a child of the King? Are you living today as if there was no promise of tomorrow? Are you ready to transport to your heavenly home?

If you know Jesus, then the answer is YES!


Do You Know?

Do you know how much God loves you?
Can you truly comprehend?
Do you understand His longing
To be your dearest friend?

Do you feel His love so strongly?
Do you understand His care?
Do you overflow with His love
That you feel compelled to share?

Do you know that He held nothing back
When He sacrificed His son?
Do you know that He’d have done this
Were you the only one?

Set apart from the love of God
There was nothing you could do.
But God’s love came down
when Christ shed His crown....
His blood was spilled for you!

So, put your hand in His Hand
Trust the Father for each hour.
Then you will know that through His love
He will fill you with His power!


W. Patrick Queen
Copyright 1999

Worry....NOT!

I just recently started a new job and I have been full of those “first day” jitters for the past week. We all get them when we start out in a new endeavor; but, it is how we handle those “worrisome” feelings that set us apart as children of the most High.

Scripture says in Luke 12: 22 & 25 “Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about you life….and which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Christ spells it out quite plainly….DO NOT WORRY!!!

But worry is a disease in our country today… so let’s look at its makeup to see why it has such a strangle hold on our people.

First, the word worry comes from a Latin word that means strangle or choke…and that’s exactly what happens when we let worry get the best of us. The hope and promise that is in each new day is lost, or choked out, if we let worry in. We spend our time and energy and strength in worry; then, when we finally get around to tackling the problem, we have little, if anything left to deal with the crisis at hand. We become discouraged, despondent and down right disagreeable …and that’s not the abundant life Jesus has called us to live.

Perhaps that tentmaker Paul summed up how to deal with worry the best in Philippians 4: 4,6-7 which says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say, REJOICE….do not be anxious (worry) about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Simple, right?

We are to rejoice in the Lord…. not in our circumstances. It’s okay to be bummed out when bad things happen …’cause we all know they will. Our goal is not to dwell on the circumstances, rather to think on the One that controls all and is always greater than what besets us.

When we focus on the Father, then we can make our requests for help and provision known to a loving Father that wants us to rejoice in Him. This spirit of rejoicing helps us to be ever thankful for who He is and what He is accomplishing in and through us. When we see God at work to meet our needs and to carry us through our trials, we can know His peace…a peace that is not known by those who do not know Him. It is his peace that will protect our hearts and minds and keep us from a life of worry and regret…..and regret, well, that’s a topic for another day.

I guess that’s why our Australian friends from “down under” seem to have the right stuff going for them and their country. They’ve made popular a simple phrase that is a mainstay of their culture and one that would serve us well here in America….”NO WORRIES, MATE!”

But we can do them one better….Though we may not know what the future holds …we, as believers in Christ…..WE KNOW WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE.

If you’ve made WORRY a side kick of yours, I encourage you to follow the words of that great theologian, Alfred E. Newman, of MAD magazine fame who said, and I quote,

WHAT!!!! ME WORRY?

If you’ve got something going on in your life that might cause you worry, simply do this…..TURN IT OVER TO GOD and get a good night’s rest. He’s going to be up all night anyway, so there’s no reason for both of you to lose a good night’s sleep. Then, when you wake refreshed in the morning, you can pick it up again….if you feel you must.

I’m trusting that you’ll just leave it in His capable hands for your new motto will be ….

WHAT!!!! ME WORRY?


Worry free …rejoicing more,
WPQ

One Man's View

Life is not a bowl of cherries; and if it was, you would still have to deal with the pits.

The statement above seems to be the life philosophy of many of our family, friends and neighbors; yet with all of the things that we may complain about, life is still very special and we should embellish our every waking moment.

There is something desirous in becoming old, especially when one considers the alternative…..so, take a walk down the path that leads to the cemetery and consider the wise words of comedian George Carlin with regards to aging….I’m sure you’ll be blessed as you ponder the many years that lie before you as with each ache and pain you’ll scream, “I’m alive, I’m alive. Thank God, I’m alive!!!


George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSSirreee!!!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!! ! You MAKE it to 60. …..You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing….you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. How old are you….Why, I'm 100 and a half!'

May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

My prayer for each of you is to live a full, productive and godly life in service to our Lord and to not depart for your heavenly home until you’ve used up all your breaths down here… and remember,

LIFE IS NOT MEASURED BY HOW MANY BREATHS WE TAKE…BUT BY THE MOMENTS THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY.


Breathing until the last…counting every moment in Him,
WPQ

Springboard or Speedbump?

Have you ever caught a snowflake on your finger and looked at its intricate pattern before it dissolved? Or have you ever witnessed a rainbow or sunset that was truly ‘one of a kind” and knew that there would never be another one like it?

If so, welcome to the wondrous world that God has created where no two humans are exactly alike (even identical twins have their own uniqueness). Welcome to a world that should celebrate that individualism and be a better world for it.

God has created each of us with special talents and abilities that will allow us (and only us) to accomplish His will and prepare the coming Kingdom for its completeness. The scriptures are resplendent with examples of godly men and women who forsook it all to follow Jesus…but they seldom started out that way and all too often, they needed a gentle push to set them on their way.

Paul is an excellent example of such a Biblical character that started out to destroy Jesus and his followers; but, after his dramatic conversion and some encouragement from a new-found friend, he finally got his act together and took it on the road. Check it out!

Read Acts 11:19-26 and you will read how Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem to see what was taking place in Antioch….”When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and he encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart- for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith- and large numbers were added to the Lord.” Notice what happens next; “Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.”

Now, news was out that Saul (Paul) had become a convert…but NO ONE WANTED TO TRUST THIS NEW DISCIPLE WITH THEIR LIFE….except Barnabas. The stories were all too fresh of the horrors of Saul’s earlier past, but Barnabas, led by the Holy Spirit, knew that God’s calling was upon Paul’s life. If Paul was to become all that God wanted him to be, then he would need encouragement, direction and guidance; and above all else, he would need a friend that would stick closer than a brother in these new and trying times. Barnabas chose to be the one to effectively prepare Paul for the mission field that lay ahead. For a whole year, he poured all that was in him into this new vessel named Paul….and even though their relationship was later strained when they parted company, I am confident that Paul always knew the debt of love and gratitude that was due his good friend and mentor, Barnabas.

Are you that rising star, waiting in the wings for someone to give you a boost into the starry skies…or …are you the one that God has called to do the boosting?

Many times someone must step out in order to help someone else stand out.

Barnabas did that for his new brother in Christ as he stepped out in faith and brought him into his ministry in Antioch…..and we only have to read the Scriptures to understand what this meant to Paul.

Right now, why not ask God if there is someone that needs a word of encouragement or perhaps, someone that you need to tuck under your wing and train for the work of His Kingdom. The cost may be great, but the reward is even GREATER.

Maybe, you’re the one that is waiting on God’s mentor and your upcoming assignment.

Either way, God is at work, raising up and preparing …ready to use your uniqueness for His Glory. You can be all that God has called you to be and you can help others do likewise…the choice is yours,

SPRINGBOARD OR SPEEDBUMP?

Seeking to serve….serving my Savior,
WPQ

Thought for the day:

God has called each of us
To live for Him each day
So why not bring others along
And guide them in His ways.

Praying for America

Today, we, as Christians in America, are facing the scariest election in the history of our country. From the indication of all the political polls, Christians are NOT voting or planning to vote for Christian and family values, but rather are getting caught up in the hype of change. We have read the Word of God and have heard it preached from our pulpits; yet, we have not taken a stand for life; we have looked the other way in not standing against homosexual and gay rights for marriage; and we have abandoned our rights to free speech regarding our faith and our rights to train and discipline our children according to God’s infallible laws.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God appeared to Solomon in the night and told him, “ If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”

God has said the He will heal our land, but do we really believe His word and are we ready to take ownership of this land as His people? Are you called by His name….are you a Christian; then, my brothers and sisters in Christ, its time to get down to business … by getting down on your knees before Jehovah God? It is time to pray and seek His face if we truly believe that God will keep His promise.

We need God’s healing on this troubled land and we, those called by His name, need to lead by example. No more lip service, no more playing church, no more hypocrisy….honest humility before our Lord God ….seekers of the divine and infallible truth that is in Christ Jesus …repentant hearts that seek to do God’s will….and never-ceasing PRAYER….. IF WE DO OUR PART, HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO DO HIS PART.

We are blessed beyond measure, even with all that is wrong in our country; yet, how much longer will God withhold his judgment and spare us the fruits of our labor. As a nation that prints his name on our money, we have little regard for the holy name of Jehovah. It is time that we take back America and give God the honor due him. Let’s not wait …let’s start today…let’s lead the way.

During WWII, there was an advisor to Winston Churchill who organized a group of people to drop what they where doing every night at a prescribed hour. At that time, they were to spend one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect for the bombing soon stopped.

There is now a group in America that is organizing to do the same thing as citizens of the USA collectively pray each evening at 9 PM eastern, 8 PM central, 7 PM mountain and 6 PM Pacific. Join us at that time as we, in one accord, beseech our Father to protect our country, our citizens and our military troops across the globe. Pray for peace in the world, for wisdom and courage for our leaders, for the upcoming elections and all that hangs in its balance…and most of all, PRAY FOR AMERICA….to once again, turn from her wicked ways and BE HEALED…that we may once again be know as “the land of the free and the home of the brave” and that we will truly become “ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE ….WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.”


Poem for today….Our Prayer:

Father, we beseech thee, to heal our country’soul Grant us your forgiveness; touch us, make us whole.
May we be found faithfully in all we do and say;
Hear us, Heavenly Father, in you Holy name, we pray…..


God Bless America….land of the Free and the home of the Brave.

The Choice is Yours

There are not many things in life in which we can control totally…few things in which sole ownership is truly ours and ours alone…..but each morning, before your feet hit the floor and your day begins, you have the sole opportunity to make a monumental decision that is yours and ONLY yours. You can decide what kind of day it’s going to be….A GOOD DAY OR A BAD DAY….THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU!

Sure, there will be bad breaks; obstacles to overcome; nasty, grumpy, even mean people….but regardless of these “circumstances”; your attitude is up to you. Now, this is not a matter of just seeing “the glass as half-empty/half-full.” It’s a full blown opportunity to decide if you are going to face the day with a smile on your face and a spring in your step…regardless of what comes your way…or if you are going to frown and moan about your pitiful lot in life and how the whole world is out to get you.

We all know those kinds of folks…..they would complain if they won the lottery… ‘Cause now their tax brackets changed and they’ve got to decide whether to take lump sum cash or defer to monthly installments. My, but life can be so unfair!

Why not take the attitude of the psalmist who wrote, “This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms118:24 …and that’s so much easier to do if we continue in his thought in this same passage, “You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, and I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalms 118:28-29.

When we see the day as through the psalmists’ eyes, we know that the day is the Lord’s…GOOD, BAD or INDIFFERENT…. It is a gift from Him….and if we approach it with thanksgiving and praise for the one who loves us and sent His Son to redeem us….WE WILL KNOW HIS BLESSING IN EVERY ENCOUNTER.

I share the following story to illustrate:

It seems there was an older gentleman of 92 years of age who had just recently lost his wife of 70 years. Now, alone and unable to care for himself, he was being placed in a retirement center to live out his remaining days. As he sat quietly in the waiting room of the home for several hours, the staff made the necessary arrangements to prepare his room. Eventually, the director came and took him by the arm and began to lead him down the hall to his room.

As she began to describe the room and the sheet that hung over the small window, the older gentleman remarked that he liked his room very much.Startled, she replied, “How can that be? You haven’t seen it yet!”

Without missing a step, he quietly replied, “That has nothing to do with it. Happiness is something I choose in advance. Whether I like the décor or the furniture doesn’t matter; what matters is how I decide to see it….and I have already decided in my mind that I like my room.”

“I can choose. I can make that decision every morning to lie in bed enumerating all the body parts that don’t work so well anymore or I can thank heaven for all the parts that are still working. Each day is a gift and as long as I can open my eyes each morning, I will focus on that new day and give thanks for it ….and all the memories I have made along the way.”

Where’s your focus today?

Why not follow these simple steps to a better day and a better life…

FREE YOUR HEART FROM HATE

FREE YOUR MIND FROM WORRY

LIVE SIMPLE

GIVE MORE

EXPECT LESS….. and most of all.....

PRAISE HIM FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!!!

Blessed each day…seeking to pass it on,
WPQ


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

There is no way you can be blue
When you think of the depth of God’s love for you;
He gave his Son, His most precious gift…
Now that will give your heart a lift.

Have a Blessed Day in the Lord!