Monday, September 29, 2008

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

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

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

Monday, September 22, 2008

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

Friday, September 19, 2008

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

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

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

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

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

Monday, September 15, 2008

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.

Friday, September 12, 2008

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.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

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
!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

GOOD TIMING..OR GOD'S TIMING?

Good timing is what the world relies upon when it comes to making important decisions; but we, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, are held to a higher standard. All we have to do is look into the scriptures…there’s plenty of Godly instructions just waiting for us there.

For instance, check out Proverbs (especially the 16th chapter) and read,

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord”
Or
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Or
There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death.”
Or
“Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.”

I trust you can see a pattern developing in the teaching of the Word….God ordains the works of man and He has purposed a time, a place and an outcome. Now, surely, man often does his best to thwart the will and purpose of God …but even at his best, he can only delay what God has set in motion…whether we like it or not…

GOD IS IN CONTROL.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, God gives us His timetable, starting with this thought, “There is a time for everything…a season for every activity under heaven”…. And the list continues. Time to be born, to die, to reap, to sow, to weep, to laugh….to love and to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. But then, the writer continues to tell us that he has seen the business of God given to his children and he confesses that God has made it all… and He has made EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME.

Is this your time to be made beautiful in the Lord? Has he called you out and set you aside for a special task, an unforgettable mission or a time of reconciliation with others?

We are not called to wait on good timing…. but rather on GOD’S TIMING. So, if you’ve been making great plans, FANTASTIC! Just be sure that you are seeking God’s will and His perfect timing….. Anything less will prove to be hazardous to your spiritual health and can lead to a path of destruction.

One of my personal mantras that I wrote during our daughter’s battle with cancer at age 5 said this; “Waiting on God takes faith…Trusting in God takes patience….Persevering in God takes Life…one step at a time!!!

If you’re waiting on God…be patient and then, be persistent in your walk and He will provide all that you need …..AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME!

Good timing or God’s timing….the results will be determined by you choice…so choose wisely….like your future depends on it.


Walking the walk ….patiently waiting on Him,
WPQ


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Waiting on God is the perfect way to know His will…
When He moves…You Move!!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

God's Greatest Creation

A few weeks ago, I wrote a devotion that was entitled, “Regarding Your Marriage’ that spoke directly to the husbands. Its primary focus was on telling men to love their wives unconditionally and to be prepared to sacrifice to insure that in all things, Christ would be honored…..

Ladies, now it’s your turn…..

Yesterday, while listening to a speaker on Focus on the Family talk about his new book that deals with the broken and battered soul/psyche of today’s male, I realized how thankful I am that I did not fit that category. You see he believes, and studies show, that men in America, as well as around the world, have often been emasculated by the culture that now says there is no difference in the male and female…all are equal in the sight of the intellectual elite. But, that’s not what God’s word says. In the very beginnings of Genesis, scripture says, “And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife …and they shall become one flesh.”

A woman is taken out of man, created as a helpmate …the crown of man’s glory as cited in Proverbs12:4, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.” Surely, if a man is to have a crown, then he should be treated, loved and respected as the “king of his castle” and the ruler of his home….but, in how many homes does this really take place?

God has ordained the man to be the head of the house, but too often that position has been relinquished or even worse, wrestled away….and that’s where we begin to see the demise of the family unit as divorce, abandoned children and often, spousal and child abuse begin to occur. Too often a disrespected husband will lash out and try to regain control, power and respect; unfortunately, he will go about it in the wrong way and that only makes life in the home worse.

Today, what’s the climate in your home with regard to respect and admiration for the head of your family…..does he know that in your eyes, he can do no wrong; but if he should, he will still find that there is love, support, compassion, forgiveness and understanding? Is his crown secure as the “king” of your family or is there a constant battle of wills that keeps your home in perpetual turmoil? Does he identify with Proverbs 31:10-12 that asks, “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not harm, all the days of her life.”

Are you treating the man that God has ordained as your spouse with the love and respect that is due him.... or with the love and respect that you feel he has earned? God tells you to love and submit to your husband…. for he is to love you as Christ loves His church.

If things have been somewhat amiss in your family setting, try this…love your husband unconditionally and treat him as you would royalty….for in this act of submission, your husband will see the Savior’s love shining through in all you do and he will know that he is blessed with one of the rarest and most priceless gems in the world….A GODLY WIFE!


Loving my gem….forever and a day,
WPQ


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY…By Maya Angelou

A women’s heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have
to seek Him first to find her.

Monday, September 8, 2008

To Be Known....?

Knowing and being known….it is on of the great conundrums of our lives. We seek anonymity when the risks are too high, yet long for the spotlight so we can “strut our stuff.” We shrink from responsibility when the costs are more than we deem appropriate, yet we long to hear the roar of the crowd when we have often accomplished little at all.

This ebb and flow of life’s battle for recognition is fought everyday in the life of Christians, especially here in America. It was not that many years ago (even in my lifetime) when Christians were revered for who they were and the stances they took in adhering to their faith. Unfortunately, those days are long gone ….except for our memories. We no longer command or demand the respect that is due the faithful discipleship that our Lord requires. We hide in great numbers in the secular marketplace, often afraid that our faith will be called into question and we will have to “put up or shut up.” We are called Christians, but in the court of public opinion, there is often not enough evidence of who we are in Christ to even infer that we belong to Him.

Scripture says, “Now, little children, abide in Him, so when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at His coming” 1John 2:28. John continues in chapter 3 by saying, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we may be called children of God; and so we are. Beloved, we are God’s children now and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM….because we shall see Him as he is.” 1 John 3: 1a & 2

I don’t know about you, but I long to be like Jesus…to see Him as He is and to walk in His footprints, to model my life to be in constant communion with the Father and to know that my will is His will. I long for the spotlight that reflects the glory of the Son. I want to seek out the lost and tell them that I am a child of God and let them know there’s still room in the family for more….God’s door is ALWAYS open to a repentant heart.

But most of all….I want God to be pleased that I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ….for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes and is called to stand up and to stand out for Christ.

Are you known by the company you keep…….JESUS CHRIST, INCORPORATED.

If so, pick up you name badge at the office and I’ll see you on the job!

God’s recruitment director,
WPQ



Today’s thought is a poem entitled:


Christians
By Maya Angelou

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Friday, September 5, 2008

LET US PRAY...

“Let us pray” is not a phrase that you will hear uttered in our schools before opening bell, before the kick-off of a Friday night football game and on a sadder note, you will not hear this phrase during the ceremony in the biggest day of a high school student’s life….GRADUATION DAY.

PRAYER IN AMERICA IS DEAD…..AT LEAST IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE and it is up to us as Christ’s followers to breathe life back into its collapsing lungs.

The true story that follows was sent to me some time ago. I saved it for such a time as this…..please read on and listen with your heart to its message……


This is a prayer given in the Kansas legislature at the opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some people.

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities,

But this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father,
We come before you today to ask for your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it free choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.

We have abused power and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and
called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

Amen!"

The response was immediate.


A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.

In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is
Pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls…..only 47 of those calls were negative in response to his prayer. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea.

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.

The writing is clearly legible and has been on the wall for some time…. God is calling His people of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to return to prayer... to be fervent to call on the name of the Lord while He may be found. Now is the time and this year is especially crucial with the upcoming presidential elections.

If possible, please pass this prayer on to your friends. They need to know that God’s people will not go down without a fight….there’s too much at stake to leave this to our children.


GOD BLESS AMERICA IN THE DAYS AHEAD and remember,


IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING, YOU WILL PROBABLY FALL FOR ANYTHING!


Field tested…battle ready,
WPQ


Thought for the day:

Just when you think all is lost
There’s nothing that can be done
Just put your trust in Jesus
And the battle will be won.

Just take it to the Father
Humbly in fervent prayer
Just place your burden at the Master’s feet
And gladly leave them there.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Top Ten Predictions

Somewhere, sometime ago we started making and checking lists. In fact, we here in America have turned it into a cultural art form. That comedian, what’s his name, offers his Top Ten list regarding some bogus and insignificant topic each night as part of his show. It seems to have caught on …

So, I have decided that since we are embarking on what will probably be considered our greatest political election in the history of our country to offer my TOP TEN predictions for the days that lie before us.

Please consider the great tasks that lie before America as you prepare to vote in the Presidential election, now, less than 60 days away…but regardless of who comes to power, we, as Christians, know who is really in charge and who really has THE POWER. We must NEVER GIVE UP and NEVER GIVE IN ….WE MUST CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT….our future to worship our God in a free and democratic society hangs in the balance. Don’t let someone else make this decision for you….remember, God is watching.


TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR THIS POLITICAL SEASON

> 1. The Bible will still have all the answers….Our search of the scriptures needs to intensify.

> 2. Prayer will still work……Pray for God’s hand to move in the upcoming elections.

> 3. The Holy Spirit will still move….Be prepared to follow His directions.

> 4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people…..Rejoice always…REJOICE.

> 5. There will still be God-anointed preaching…..Listen for the voice of the Almighty.

> 6. There will still be singing of praise to God…..Our song is one of VICTORY.

> 7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people….His anointing will bring great POWER.

> 8. There will still be room at the Cross.. God‘s judgment demands payment, Christ paid it ALL.

> 9. Jesus will still love you….With an EVERLASTING LOVE that knows no bounds.

> 10. Jesus will still save the lost…He came to seek and to save and He’s NOT DONE YET.


Remember …… God said,” Be still, and know that I AM GOD”

God is still in the business of speaking to His people so that He may direct their path. God wants to lead each of us to do His will as we seek to place in the White House the man that He has prepared to lead this great nation, God whispers to your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes, when you don't take the time to listen or heed that still, small voice…He has to throw a brick at you.

It's your choice…. Listen for the whisper or wait for the brick!


Hearing & Doing,
WPQ



THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

God speaks to us in a whisper
To hear Him is no small trick;
But if we refuse to listen…
He may have to use a brick.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

THE FOLDED NAPKIN

During my Sunday school classes’ study of the Great Characters of the Bible, we dove deeply into the beloved disciple John and came across his sprint to the tomb. We saw that He looked in and saw the grave clothes, but did not enter. Then, Simon Peter arrived, entered and saw the grave clothes lying there, but the napkin that covered our Savior’s face was not with the grave clothes; rather, it was neatly folded and resting in a place by itself. The natural question was,

Why did Jesus fold the napkin?

Read on be blessed....

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to-do with the Master and Servant.... and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly with everything in exactly the right place so the Master would be pleased; then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating. The servant would dare not touch the table until he was sure that the master was finished. Then, if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, clean his beard and then, he would wad up the napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded-up or unfolded napkin meant, “I’M DONE!”


But, if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........

The folded napkin meant....I’M COMING BACK!!!!!


Praise God in Heaven…..He’s Coming Back to redeem His Own.

I trust that today this little story holds great significance for you because you know Jesus as your personal Savior. He promised each of us in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Even in His resurrection moment, He confirmed by the folded napkin His promise that HE IS COMING BACK...and I, for one, can’t wait!

Clinging to OUR HOPE in Christ Jesus,
WPQ


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

For all who call on Jesus’ name
We believe this simple fact.
He has gone to prepare a place,
But soon, HE’S COMING BACK!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Take My Yoke

Working in today’s fast paced business environments leaves many of us feeling stressed, over worked and often at the “end of our rope.” We scurry from project to project, meeting to meeting with hardly a moment to catch our breath…and if something should happen to go wrong …Well, look out for the fireworks!

Christ knows that we weren’t built for this type of prolonged stress and the accompanying anxiety. He tells us in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Ancient Biblical history tells us that farmers in Israel used to train an inexperienced ox by yoking it to an older, more experienced ox by use of a wooden harness. They would draw the straps tightly around the neck of the older animal while the harness rested lightly upon the neck of the younger ox. The burden or “load” was borne primarily by the older beast …the younger animal merely walked along side the mature ox, carrying little of the burden as they traveled the dusty, rocky road…..

And that is the picture that Christ paints for us in this scripture from Matthew….He is walking beside us, bearing the burdens that are too heavy for us to carry. We are yoked together, but it is Christ that is doing the work …and that is why our yoke is light!

Are you yoked with the Savior? What great burden is He bearing for you….the loss of a job; the grief over losing a loved one; the financial turmoil that has you buried in debt… or could it be the shame of the eternal debt that you have not given to him….you have not taken His yoke because you do not know Him as your Lord and Savior?

He begs us to take His yoke and learn from Him…just as that young oxen has to learn how to work in tandem with his mature counterpart, we must learn of our Savior and when we do, we will be seen in His likeness….gentle, meek, lowly in heart and ready to be in service with and for our Lord.

Then and only then, we will be able to make it from day to day in our busy, hectic world….”For His yoke is EASY and His burden is LIGHT!”

OH, HOW HE CARES FOR YOU….. GIVE HIM YOUR BURDENS TODAY!

Sharing my load….guiding my steps,
WPQ


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

The Savior wants to bless you
To give you what is best;
Just take His yoke upon you
And He will give you rest.

Monday, September 1, 2008

God Honors Work

Today's blog honors those that labor and are workmen for our LORD:


How many workdays in a work week seems like a trick question... but what about how many Sundays in a week? Well, according to Heaven’s calendar, they are SEVEN…that’s right, Seven! You see, God sanctifies each day as a holy day to conduct His holy business at all hours and in all places.

Somewhere, many of us got the notion that we work 5 or 6 days each week and then give God the day that He originally reserved for himself…the Sabbath or Sunday; but God owns each day, especially your workdays. He ordained your work as something good.

You see, God is the Author and originator of work. After He created Adam, but before He gave him a wife, a family or even a loin cloth….God gave Adam a JOB! Genesis 2:15 tells us that “The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” All that was to come was important and highly prized by God, but He created man to work …so he put him in the garden. Surely God knew that idle hands were the Serpent’s playground…so He wasted no time in putting Adam to work.

Where is your garden and what calling has God placed before you? Are you laboring at the kitchen sink or chasing your children around at the park? Are you the CEO of a corporate entity or the mechanic at the local car dealer? Is your job one that brings you pleasure and God glory…..or are you just going through the motions, showing up, doing the minimum and waiting on pay day?

GOD HONORS WORK…..ALWAYS HAS AND HE ALWAYS WILL!

So, don’t shrink from that sink…. turn it into a shrine for God’s glory as you become the best home engineer/child psychologist in your neighborhood.

Running a multi- million dollar company….commit your best to making it successful by fully honoring the God of the Universe in all your dealings and your will make each 9 to 5 day an adventure in serving the Lord.

Not sure how to “tend and keep” the garden that God has entrusted to you….then, let’s talk or else, seek the advice of godly counsel. Either way, God has or is in the process of putting you to work for Him. Don’t be caught asleep at the wheel…God expects you to be at work for Him and His Kingdom…no matter what the job, God has fully equipped you to accomplish His tasks.

Remember, He has called all of the physically, able-bodied to work in their/His garden until He comes…so work as working for the Lord…..


GOD HONORS WORK …SO HONOR GOD IN YOUR WORK.


Working ‘til He comes…honoring Him daily,
WPQ

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

>Whatever task God has given you
Be filled with holy zest;
For when you’re working for the Lord,
He expects your very best.