Friday, February 27, 2015

Character or Comfort…You Decide!

Living in the now is hard for a lot of God’s people …what with our world’s infatuation with gathering and storing and saving for our old age. It seems that hoarding has become part of the standard thinking of the rich and the “wanna be” rich. Now, I for one can empathize with this thought process, being one of the “baby boomers” who has been suckled with the idea that if I am going to live a long and satisfying life, I better stockpile lots of “goodies’ to see me through my senior years.

But, let’s look at this from a Biblical perspective. This life is really just a dress rehearsal for the eternity that I will spend with my Heavenly Father …at home in the New Jerusalem. In fact, my entire purpose for living is to prepare me for eternity …to have me practice on earth what I will perfect in heaven. Now eternity, that’s a LOOOONNGGGG TIME according to 2 Peter 3:8 which says, “But do not overlook this one fact, Beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. God’s calendar is different than yours and mine…I may live to be a hundred here on earth, but I’m going to spend a trillion years in eternity and that requires that I get my eye on the prize while I’m here.

Each one of us was made by God…. for God. God did not put us here to make us happy, but to make us HOLY…and that’s the struggle of life. Until we get that thought at the center of our consciousness, we’re probably going to spend our time and efforts in pursuing the wrong things of this world….and those “things” lead to our destruction. Sure, we all want to be successful, fulfilled and comfortable both now and in our “retirement” years; but God is more interested in your CHARACTER than in your comfort.

So, where does that leave us? Do we listen attentively to the noise from the crowd that tells us to “grab all we can” since we only “go around once in life”…or do we heed the Savior’s call to “take up our cross and follow him.”

If your life is not facing some sort of difficulty, then maybe it’s time to check your Christian pulse and see if your really have a heartbeat for the Savior? Truly, it’s okay to want to be reasonably happy here on earth; to face a minimal amount of desperation or despair….but, remember, God is more interested in your growth in Christ than the size of your home or the value of your IRA. If you’re working for the Kingdom, then trust me; Opposition is near-at-hand….but that’s okay! 1 John 4:4 says, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He that is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

So start living for the eternity that God has promised you and leave behind the cares and troubles that so easily beset us….Today is the first day of the rest of your eternity ….at home with Jesus and our Father of Love.

Letting go of today…Reaching for eternity,

WPQ

Thought for Today:

The eyes of the Lord travel to and fro
Seeking to find someone
Upon whom he might bestow,
Blessings for a life well done

So give Him your love and obedience
And each morning when you arise;
Plan to live this day for Him
To find favor in His Eyes.



Thursday, February 26, 2015

And the Second Commandment Is....

A few years ago, I was flying back from a business trip to southern Florida. It was a wonderful day; overcast with those big fluffy clouds that always look like something to those with vivid imaginations.  As I sat looking out my window as we flew along the coast, suddenly I see the Space Shuttle come bursting through the clouds as it rockets toward the heavens. It nearly took my breath away in its magnificence as it hurled itself toward the confines of an immeasurable blackness known as space. I followed its path as I watched the flames of the rockets pushing it higher and higher and I thought to myself that those rockets were built for one purpose….to quote Captain James Kirk, “To boldly go where no man has gone before.”

And that brings me to the Second Commandment of which I spoke yesterday.

Christ has been crucified and now raised from the dead; He stands before His disciples and issues his last command in Matthew 28:18-20…his final parting words before He ascends to His Father; Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

And there it is ….in one imperative commandment….GO!

Go and make disciples; go and baptize; go and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you to do…..Go and show my love to the lost and hurting in a dying and hopeless world. But for all too many of us that call ourselves disciples of Christ, we fail to heed this simple commandment… to GO!

We would rather stay put and be part of the establishment…the church, the choir, the Sunday school or the ones that give little, yet expect much from others. We can’t be called from our comfort zone or expected to sacrifice….that’s just not who we are! Somehow we have gotten it into our minds that we are not built like a rocket with one specific function….to GO where no man has gone before.

Now I’m not trying to say that we all must sign up for the foreign mission field…but somebody must! We don’t all have to knock on doors and invite total strangers to church….but somebody must! We don’t all have to work at the homeless shelter on the weekend…but somebody must! For if we are to be faithful to our Savior, then we need to be obedient to His commands to LOVE and to GO…..and the order in which we do this probably matters least.

It would be nice if we all were so filled with His love that we could not contain ourselves in seeking to show and to demonstrate that love…to love so much that we can’t help but GO and look for ways to love. But if you struggle with being filled with the love of Christ, then I challenge you to GO and let love find you in the act of doing, caring and loving in the name of Christ. Just the act of GO..ing might be all that is needed to stir your heart and to let your love propel you into service for the Savior.

Christ told his disciples to love as He had loved them and demonstrated throughout his solitary life...He commanded them to be willing to go and to serve. If you want to be obedient to Christ then your life’s mission is simple…follow his two commandments to LOVE and to GO….all else will fall right into place.

Seeking to GO where the Savior leads,

WPQ

Thought for the day:

We should follow Christ’s example
With everyone we meet…
We should seek to show the Savior’s love
For we are His hands and feet.

For Christ would have us working
To care for those distraught;
To go and serve in loving ways
Is what our Savior taught.


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Joy...Do You Have It?

Whether you believe in God or not…or unless you have lived totally secluded from human contact, you have probably heard of the Ten Commandments. Many people know, understand and try to implement the following of the Ten Commandments into their daily life…they live trying to keep the letter of the laws to make themselves “good enough’ to earn their way in to God’s perfect heaven.

But, as Christians, we know this is an impossible task …no one makes it to heaven on their own merit. We are not and can never be good enough to qualify for admission. So our gracious God provided a way through the shed blood of His Son and our admission of guilt; thus, by placing our faith in Jesus and His redemptive power, we are declared righteous and invited to spend eternity with God and His Host of heavenly beings.

But while we are still sojourners here, Christ gave us two commandments that I believe now supersede or at least encompass the former ten and place on each of us a higher calling of service and obedience.

The first is found in some of the last words shared with His disciples on that fateful night of the Passover Supper in John 13:34-35. “A new command(ment) I give you: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples because you love one another.”

I consider this the eleventh commandment and surely one that Christ himself lived out in giving himself for our redemption. It is the greatest commandment that we love God with all our heart, mind, body and strength…and as Christ taught; our neighbor as ourselves. So in love we are to love on three accounts….Love God, love others and love ourselves.

I fear that all too often, we in the Kingdom community get these out of balance and our lives begin to flounder in ineffectiveness and chaos…we fail to find JOY in living because we have our love quotient unbalanced…..Jesus-1st ….Others-2nd ….Yourself-3rd.

J O Y…..do you have it? Are you living as God intended and Christ commanded? Are you known by the love shown in your life…or are you loving yourself first, God on Sunday and others whenever it will prove to be beneficial to you and your personal agenda?

If so, then that might explain the lack of JOY in your life and the absence of peace that passes all understanding. Living outside the will of God and breaking His commandment to love so that you might be known as a disciple of Christ has many ramifications ….but one in particular….and that’s the other commandment that Christ gave his disciples before He returned to His Father.

Come back tomorrow and get the rest of this story….

Loving as He loved…Obeying the Master,
WPQ

Thought for the Day:

If I’m living for the Lord
The proof is easy to see;
I’ll be loving others
And not just loving me.

I’ll seek to obey His command,
To make it all about His love;
Then Jesus will smile down on me
From His heavenly home above.


Saturday, February 21, 2015

Today is Your Gift…

The story that follows is one that has been circulating around on the Internet for sometime…I know that my wife has sent it to me on at least two occasions.; however, the message is so poignant that I believe it bears repeating. I have added my own conclusion and trust that you will do the same….please share this with someone who is in need of a friend…….

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying every single book he owned; so I found myself thinking, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'

So I shrugged my shoulders and went on. Besides, I had quite a weekend planned with some parties to attend and a football game with my friends’ tomorrow afternoon.

 As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him... He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses and I’m sure a saw tears forming in his eyes.  As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives.' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me. When I asked him why I had never seen him before, he said he had been going to a private school and had just recently transferred to my school Now, I would have never have hung out with a private school kid; but as we talked on the way home, I realized that he was a pretty cool kid….so, I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with me and my friends and he said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him and so did my friends. The weekend flashed by and Monday morning came and there was Kyle with that huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday
!” He just laughed and handed me half of his books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.
I knew that as close as we had become we would always be friends regardless of the miles that might separate us. He was going to be a doctor and I was going on a football scholarship to major in business.

As you might expect, Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare to deliver his speech for graduation and I remember thinking that I sure am glad that it’s Kyle up there instead of me.

Graduation day came and there stood Kyle….prim and proper in his cap and gown…. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and even looked good in his glasses. In fact, he had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days…..

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.... ‘Thanks,’ was all he could say.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began... 'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends....I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.'


I just looked at my best friend with disbelief as he told about the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker and was carrying his stuff home so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile…… Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.' There is no beginning or end…. Yesterday is history….Tomorrow is a mystery…..Ah, but…..

Today is a gift….that's why we call it the PRESENT. So, live today as though it may be your last as we each await the day that God calls us home to His sweet reward.

Living for the day…Loving for the Savior,

WPQ





Friday, February 20, 2015

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

Thought for the Day:

Don’t put off until tomorrow
What you can achieve today.
Just trust the Lord in all you do
And He will guide your way.



Thursday, February 19, 2015

Got Work?

How many workdays in a work week seems like 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.


Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Waiting On The Lord

After the Israelites exited Egypt, they began their travels through the desert to the Promised Land. In Numbers, chapter 9, we read how the Lord instructed Moses to have the Israelites observe the second Passover. It is later in that same chapter that we read about the cloud of Guidance.

Read Numbers 9:15-23

Scripture tells us that as long as the cloud remained above the tent of testimony, God’s people stayed put. Whether it was for a night, several days, a month or longer….they did not break camp and move out until the cloud went before them.

The same is true for us today. We need to stay put until our cloud (God’s Holy Spirit) moves out.

Now, it is true that we all call upon the Lord for guidance, direction, protection and provision… in fact, the list seems to go on and on. Yet, too often, after we have made our request known, we strike out on our own and fail to heed the tug or nudge of the Holy Spirit. We are too eager to make things happen rather than wait on the leading and direction of our Heavenly Father. We have all heard that old adage, “God helps those that help themselves” but that saying is neither scriptural nor even factual. God is in the business of meeting, even exceeding our needs, but He does not need our help ….rather He needs our obedience.

Too often when difficulties or uncertainties arise in our lives, we subscribe to the idea …”Don’t just stand there, do something!”  But noted Biblical author and teacher, Henry Blackaby says it should be just the opposite, “Don’t just do something, stand there!” Stand in the promise of God ….and wait!

So, the next time you need a little guidance or you’re feeling unsure of the next step to take along the path of God’s will for your life…..STOP and do like the children of God did in the wilderness….WAIT ON THE CLOUD!

God’s spirit is hovering over you; working inside your heart and mind; calming and encouraging you to be still and wait on the spirit of God to move…in fact,

Your Promised Land is just ahead if you will wait on the Lord and follow His spirit…remember, waiting on God is the perfect way to know his will…..WHEN HE MOVES…YOU MOVE!!!!!!!

Moving ahead …following His cloud,

WPQ

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

The Condition of Your Soil?

Riding through the countryside of South Carolina a few years back, I noticed that the first rite of spring had begun. As I looked across field after field of newly turned sod, it reminded me of my childhood days and the work of my Dad’s Merry Tiller.

Every other spring, our large back yard was converted from a neighborhood ball field into a very large and productive garden. It all began with my Dad, who after working all day, would come home to work behind the tiller, over turning the dark earth in to ball- sized dirt clods. It was my job to take the hoe and break the clods down into plant worthy soil.

Dad explained to me how necessary my job was….that in each dirt clod, there laid nutrients and other minerals that would be needed in growing our vegetables. These nutrients were trapped and it was my job to release them by breaking them up. I worked for days, chopping and beating the clods, until, at last, there lay before me a field, ready for planting. We then began to meticulously furrow each row and make preparation for the seed. This whole process usually took a couple of weeks…it sure seemed like a lot of work to an eight year old; but, when I saw those tiny corn shoots, the rows and rows of beans and squash and the great big smile on my Dad’s face, it was worth it all.

Our hearts are like that soil….waiting to be overturned and prepared for the planting and the harvest that follows.

Matthew 13 tells of the sower and the condition of the soil as we read, “A sower went out to sow.  As he sowed, some seed fell along the path and the birds came and devoured it. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil; but when the sun rose they were scorched. Since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9

What’s the condition of your soil…and you soul today? Is it fertile ground, ready and receptive to the word of God? Or is it overturned sod that is still rocky and clod-like?

Maybe, you need the work of the Holy Spirit to prepare your soil…to break apart those clods of indifference and release the nutrients of peace, harmony, patience and love. You need to surrender to the great Gardner and let him have his way with you soil….and your soul.

Why not pray this simple prayer today and ask the Holy Spirit to use whatever tool is necessary to prepare your heart for the planting of God’s word in your heart, body, mind and soul….Ask him to prepare your soil so that your harvest will be a hundredfold of good works for the glory of our great and awesome God.

Father, today let the work of your Holy Spirit prepare my heart for service. Let all I do bring honor to your name. May your word permeate the soil that is my heart and grow in me those qualities that produce a life that is pleasing in your sight. Amen

Tilling for the Kingdom,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:
If for the Son you seek to work
To plant God's precious seed.
The you must till the fertile soil
And be prepared to meet each need.

To share with those who need to know
For God gave His only Son…
And left behind those who believe
To harvest what He has done.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Lord, Teach Us to Pray…

Jesus was asked by his disciples, “Lord, teach us to pray”….and in those first verses of Luke, chapter 11, Christ gives them the who, what, where and when to pray.

First, we are to pray to our Heavenly Father; to honor His name and to greet Him as holy and righteous. We are to pray for His will to be done….here on earth as it is done in heaven….to pray for the coming of His kingdom….and we are to pray DAILY for our every need.

“Give us this day our DAILY bread’….tells us that God’s focus is not on a weekly get-together at church; rather, He is looking to meet us, and our needs, each day. The trials of life don’t just happen on the weekend, but each and every day. If we are to navigate through life with less worry and equal to the challenges that we face, then we need to be communicating with our Heavenly Father on a daily basis.

In fact, it is this basic unit of measurement that God has been using since the Creation. “God called the light Day and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.” Genesis 1:5

We only have to open God’s word to see how the scriptures resonant in passage after passage regarding our daily interaction with our Heavenly Father. He ordained our walk to be a daily exercise in faith.

Now, don’t get me wrong…I’m not saying that it’s wrong to think or plan for tomorrow; to make provisions for what might lie ahead. It’s only wrong to worry about tomorrow….so, if our focus is too far in the future; we set ourselves up to miss the blessings that God has prepared for us…today.

The only way to make it through any crises….trouble with your kids, financial stress, marital upheaval, extended sickness or any other of life’s many problems is….ONE DAY AT A TIME….it only stands to reason.

Why? ….because that’s the way God has set this world in motion and that’s why His Son taught us to pray…. “Give us this day our daily bread”.

How are you doing in meeting God each day ….praying for His provision….and trusting in His Word? Remember, waiting on God takes faith….trusting in God takes patience…preserving in God takes life….one day at a time!!!

Walking in His way….step by step, day by day,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:
When life’s storm clouds gather
And you see the threat of the coming rain;
Just place you hope in Jesus
And He’ll take away your pain

He never will forsake you.
He’s with you each step of the way;
To a bright and glorious morning
For His mercies are new each day.


Friday, February 13, 2015

Working on the Inward Man

Now, I don’t know about you, but I seldom watch any of those celebrity award shows like the Oscars or Golden Globes or such. To me, it’s just a bunch of pretty people getting together to see who has the best plastic surgeon. I mean, just look at Joan Rivers…she’s had more work done than it takes to restore a 1940 Ford to prime condition. Besides, when I read scripture, I am constantly reminded that God’s looks on the heart, not on the outward appearance.

In fact, Paul probably said it best in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “Even though our outward man  is perishing, our inward man is being renewed day by day.”

We all get it….we are fighting a battle we just can’t win …fighting to look youthful while day by day we lose ground in this battle against aging. It is so sad to see so many in our society spending thousands of dollars so their obituary picture will resemble their graduation photos.

God has a much different perspective…and He has tried for all time to help us adopt His philosophy regarding this matter….the outward man is here today and then gone tomorrow; the inward man will live FOREVER.

So then, how should we proceed if we seek to honor our Heavenly Father when it comes to this matter?

How can we show God that we value the inward man; how can we invest in renewing him daily? To do so, we must enter the spiritual gymnasium and workout with the inward man… just as we would workout with our outward, physical man if we wanted to build muscle or lose those pesky twenty pounds. Here’s a suggested inward man exercise program….

We must lift our hearts in praise ….daily!
We must push back selfish and sinful desires…daily!
We must run the race toward the prize of God’s high calling…daily!
We must leap for joy when God comes to our rescue…daily!
We must shoulder the weight of the needs and burdens of others…daily!
We must nourish our soul with the meat of God’s word….daily!
We must stand firm in our defense of God’s work in our lives…daily
We must flee the Evil One…daily …and most of all,

We must mirror our Lord Jesus Christ…for our inward man should be the reflection of our Savior and His Holy Spirit that lives within.

I don’t know about you, but I've got some work to do…

See you in the gym of life,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:

Father, it is through your Spirit
We are filled with your love and power.
Please make us more like Jesus
Each day and every hour.

Keep us focused on the things that count,
Help us follow your path and plan.
Let us live our lives in surrender,
Working on the inward man.





Thursday, February 12, 2015

Holding on to the Helm…Steering toward Home!

When I began my active duty in the Navy, I reported to my duty station, the USS Strong, without a billet classification; so, I was immediately assigned to the Deck Force. Now besides being in charge of the overall upkeep of the ship, it was our job to steer the ship…to man the helm while underway.

I’ll never forget my trepidation when I took hold of the helm for the very first time.  I was in the middle of the Atlantic, water surrounding me on all sides, no lines or boundaries or demarcations of any type to give me a point of reference ….absolutely nothing to help aim the ship and steer toward a destination. I only had the big wheel and a heading marker that gave our course direction in degrees.

I truly wanted to panic…but then the Officer of the Deck, the one who was in charge of directing our course, shouted out a command, “Come to a heading of 175 degrees north, speed 15 knots.”  I immediately shouted back his command and began to spin the wheel and watched as the heading began to change…..155 …160….165…170…and then, I reversed the wheel several turns until the heading was exactly 175. We were on course and heading toward the direction that the OOD had called out. Now, I’m not sure how he knew exactly where we were heading or the calculations that were required to make sure that we stayed on course to our final destination….but day or night, whenever I was at the helm, I knew I could trust the Officer of the Deck to give me the exact heading to steer that would take me and my shipmates safely to our final port of call.

The same is true in our Christian experience as we set sail across the stormy waters we know as life. We are at the helm of our ship, seeking to sail safely through to our final port of call….but fear, anxiety confusion and so much more cloud our vision and make the way treacherous….in fact, all too often we fail to even leave the safety of the harbor.

But Jesus said in His word that he would provide us an Officer of the Deck…one whose commands we could follow and obey…one who would be with us and guide our journey.

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7

The Holy Spirit is with you today as you take hold of the helm ….He has come to give you guidance and direction and to help you steer through the treacheries of life. The sailing will not always be smooth; your ship may become battered and torn; you may want to turn around and return to the safety of the harbor….but you can trust the Officer of the Deck.

He has made all the necessary calculations and he knows the waters, the currents and the ebb and flow of the tides. You can trust him to lead you to the calling that God has placed on your life. You can remain calm when seas toss you about and you can be assured that he can overcome any storm and lead you safely through to calm, still waters.

So, today ….get a firm grip on the helm of your life and listen intently for the voice of the Holy Spirit as he calls out the heading for today’s journey. It may be through uncharted waters or simply a shake down cruise that prepares you for a longer, more arduous voyage…..but no matter the destination, you will arrive safely home...where you will be greeted by the Father’s loving arms and a whisper of

“Well Done, my child….WELL DONE!

Tossed Upon Life’s Waters….Steering Safely Toward Home,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:

Begin each day with this new thought;
Jesus cares for you….
Then when upon life’s seas you’re tossed
Know His Spirit will see you through.


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

R U Asking For More?

In a chapter in the Old Testament, where the writer is listing the descendants of Judah, he mentions one of Judah’s relatives…a man by the name of Jabez.

In I Chronicles 4:9-10, we read,“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the name of the God of Israel, saying. “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory, and that your hand would be with me and that you would keep me from evil so that it might not bring me pain. And God granted what he asked.” (English Standard Version)

Did you catch that last part…..God granted his request!!! Why was this man so special in the eyes of God? How can we achieve that same dominion in the eyes of our Creator?

Well, first, he was an honorable man…more honorable than any of his brothers and more honorable than anyone in the surrounding community. He must have understood what God required of him; therefore, he was a very responsible and considerate person. He truly sought to serve the Lord and to honor him in everything he did….thus, the reason for the first part of his bold request… God’s blessing of enlarging his territory.

He knew that God would not give him more if he were not thankful for that which he already had. Also, how could God entrust him with more if he were not already a good and faithful steward of the blessings that were currently his. The only reason God will enlarge a person’s territory is if He knows that person will use it responsibly to bring glory to the Father and to enlarge the kingdom of the Most High.

So, if you’ve been petitioning our heavenly Father for greater blessings and a larger, more fruitful territory ….the question is quite simple…..ARE YOU BRINGING HONOR TO GOD IN ALL YOU DO?

Before you move on to greater endeavors for the Lord, you might want to stop and ask your self these questions ….

Am I bringing honor to my God through my words and my deeds?
Am I causing pain…harm…promoting evil in my relationships?
Am I thankful for the blessings that I have already received?
Am I using the resources that I currently have to expand the work of the Lord?
Am I responsible for my actions and their results?
Am I using my influence to bring others to Christ?

Take some real, quality time to search your soul as you answer these questions….and if you believe that you can answer in the affirmative in all these areas, then, you can precede with the final part of the prayer of Jabez….for a life that is free from pain.

In fact, in all my studies in the Bible, I do not recall anyone else who was spared the pains of life…save this one ordinary man with his extraordinary prayer….

So today, why not pray the prayer of this humble man and seek to live as he lived before God ….and maybe, you too may live a life of enlarged territories …full of blessings and free from harm.

Expanding the Kingdom…Living for the Lord,
WPQ

Thought for the Day:

Don’t put off until tomorrow
What you can achieve today;
Just trust the Lord in all you do
And He will guide your way.

He will deliver you from evil
By His righteous, mighty arm;
He will enlarge your territory
And keep you safe from harm.


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Experiencing a God Moment…

Many years ago, by beautiful wife, Terri and I went away for a romantic weekend to celebrate our upcoming 19th wedding anniversary. We went to a lodge in the mountains of Georgia that was perfect for such an excursion.

While she was scoping out the place and checking on the evening dinner’s fare, I stood, warming myself by the massive stone fireplace that extends over 90 feet into the large- beamed ceiling. While standing there, I struck up a conversation with a couple that was seated near the fire and in minutes, we were talking about their home on Mobile Bay and the devastation that Katrina had visited on that region. My lovely bride returned and I bid the couple good-bye as we made off to do some local sight seeing.

On Sunday morning, we went down to the lodge to partake of their “Big” breakfast and as we were being seated, the couple I had met on Saturday came in. As the hostess was searching for a table for them, I motioned for them to come and join us… as I am ever the good citizen and always ready to make a new friend.

As they were seated and we introduced ourselves, they mentioned that they would be eating quickly so they could get to a church in the area….the conversation moved quickly and they mentioned (God only knows why) a young couple in their church at home whose one year old had cancer and had just had her kidney removed….My wife and I knew all too well that story…and then we had a “God “moment….a moment that only the all-knowing, all-powerful God could orchestrate.

As we shared our testimony about our daughter’s battle with cancer and Wilm’s tumor (the same disease this one year old was battling), it was evident to all four of us seated at that table …in that lodge ….at that moment …that God had brought us together so we could be a source of encouragement to this young couple in Mobile.

We got the Syke’s address so that we could send them a copy of our little book, Bent…but not Broken, and our promise that we would pray for young Avery and her mom and dad…..and though there’s more to this story that I can write in today’s blog….know this, God has set before you people that need a touch from Him…and unless you step outside of yourself, that need will go unmet and you will go without the blessing that God has set aside for you. I am so thankful that I listened to that small voice that told me to call that couple to our table….and I trust and pray that the young couple will felt the same after they receive our gift of encouragement.

Today, know this…. no matter what troubles, problems or obstacles you are facing, you have a Heavenly Father who cares and who is, at this very moment, sending comfort, support, encouragement and His heavenly solution to you….So,

HOLD ON...HEAVEN’S HELP IS ON THE WAY!

Blessing others…being blessed beyond measure,
WPQ


The following is an excerpt from Bent …but not Broken, A Family’s Victory Over  Cancer through the Grace of God by W. Patrick Queen...the poem entitled, Mighty Oaks



So when life's burdens weigh you down 
or you're feeling all alone,
Remember little acorns into mighty oaks have grown.
Just plant your tiny seed of faith 
in the Master's holy sod;
  And you will grow, like mighty oaks, 
to touch the face of God

Monday, February 9, 2015

A CHANGE OF THINKING

I want to ask you to do me a special favor that, for the large part, should be painless. I want you to change your way of thinking….now, before you go off the deep in, take a deep breath and listen to my proposal.

From the beginning of creation, God has had a specific way of considering the 24 hours that make up a day. From His word we read in Genesis 1:5, “and the evening and the morning were the first day.” Did you catch that?

You and I don’t think that way, do we? We see it just the opposite. A day is the morning followed by the evening….always has been, always will be….and that’s what requires a change of thinking on our part.

There is always a wonderful truth embedded in even the smallest scripture …if we are only willing to take a good look. If we could but see our days as God sees them….first the evening followed by the morning, what a difference that could make.

We would then spend each evening contemplating and meditating on the activities and responsibilities that God will set before us in the morning….and then spend time asking Him for His guidance and blessing upon all that He wants us to accomplish for Him and His kingdom. Then, as we place our head on our pillows, we are free to experience a full night’s rest as we give everything to Him. We can sleep in the full assurance that He is in complete control and we can lay aside the worries and cares that beset us after a day of hurried activities.

David, the psalmist wrote, “Weeping may endure for the night, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!” Psalm 30:5 Why not change your thinking in this area of your life and experience the joy that is yours each new day…..Let me know if seeing each day the way God sees it works for you….it only takes a moment to change your mind.

Enjoying the new day and all its promise,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:
The eyes of the Lord travel to and fro
Seeking to find someone;
Upon whom he might bestow
Blessings for a life well done

So give Him your love and obedience
And each morning when you arise…
Plan to live this day for Him
To find favor in His Eyes.

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Sunday, February 8, 2015

WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY?

There are two questions that have always plagued mankind…”Why am I here?” and “Where am I going when I die?” The Bible speaks to both of these, but the one that seems most problematic is “Where will you spend eternity, Heaven or Hell?”

What do you think it takes for someone to get into heaven….Luck? …A serious regimen of religion? ... Or if the good things you do outweigh the bad?

The real answers to the questions above come from God’s infallible word…The Holy Bible…it says that it is all a matter of  ….F. A. I. T. H.

F is for Forgiveness….For everyone has sinned and needs God’s forgiveness.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

”But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1: 7

A is for Available… God’s forgiveness is available for all.
“God so loved the world in this way: He gave His one and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

And though God’s forgiveness is available, IT IS NOT AUTOMATIC…. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 7:21

I is for Impossible… the Bible says it is impossible to get to heaven on our own.
“By grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift-not from works, so that no on can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

So how can a sinful person have eternal life and enter heaven?

T is for Turn…Turn means repent; a change of direction from sin and self.
“Unless you repent, you will all perish as well!” Luke 13:3

Turn to Jesus alone as your Savior and Lord….I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Here is the greatest news of all.

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9
What happens if a person is willing to repent of their sins and confess Christ?

H is for Heaven....Heaven is a place where we will live with God forever.

“If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3

Eternal life begins now with Jesus. “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.” John 10:10

H can also stand for How…..How can a person have God’s forgiveness, eternal life, and heaven?

The answer is simple….trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord. 

If you would like to receive the forgiveness of your sin so that you might know where you will spend eternity, why not ask Jesus to come into your heart right this very minute?
Just pray something like this……

"Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased you in many ways. I believe in my heart that you died for my sins and through my faith in your death and resurrection, I am forgiven. I commit my heart to you and turn from my sin and ask you to come into my life as my Lord and Savior. From this day forward, I will follow you and seek to live a live that is pleasing to you. Thank you, Lord, for saving me.

AMEN.


If you would like to share your decision with us or you would like some additional materials or need prayer, please contact us at thankfulpraise777@gmail.com.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Empty Baskets or Filled to the Brim…

In our  recent study, we have been looking at abiding in the Savior and in our last writing; we took a quick peek at the scriptures that deal with bearing fruit. In our study today, let’s examine more closely what Jesus says about those that bear fruit and how much is enough.

In John 15, we read the following; “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that bears fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” Verses 2,5,8

In Dr. Wilkerson’s book, Secrets of the Vine, he tells a very poignant story of a person visiting a vineyard at harvest time. As they travel throughout the different terraces of vines, they notice the baskets set at the end of each row of vines. Peering into each one as they pass, they notice four distinctive levels of productivity from the corresponding vines….

EMPTY….barren vines produce no harvest

SOME FRUIT…..some work and some care produces some fruit

MORE FRUIT …. At last, hard work and some careful pruning produce a reasonable harvest….and lastly,

ABUNDANTLY FILLED TO OVERFLOWING….This is the harvest the vineyard keeper expected when he planted his vineyard.

These are the levels of abundance that God sees in the lives of His children and He is either very proud or greatly disappointed in the harvest….God created us to bring about abundance and to produce a great harvest, so the question that faces us all….are you an empty basket or one brimming and overflowing with the fruit you have produced for your Heavenly Father?

If you have a desire to learn more about the abundance that God expects from you and how He is prepared to help you breakthrough as His disciple, I challenge you to get Dr. Bruce Wilkerson’s book and dive in….your empty basket is waiting to be filled!

Living in the abundance …tending the vines,
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.

All of you, our Lord requires
It’s what He ask of you.
Your works for Him will overflow;
In His mercies, you're made new!


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Thursday, February 5, 2015

Bearing Fruit…'Tis the Season

I love the spring season as the earth begins to re-bud and refurbish itself. The trees are once again full of leaves and blossoms… and that means delicious fruit can’t be far behind.

In Dr. Wilkerson’s book, he teaches that for us to abide in Christ and to know that we are doing so; all one must do is look at the fruit we are producing. John 15: 5, 8 say the following; “I am the Vine and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.”

In these simple, yet profound words that came out of the mouth of our Lord, just hours before He died, we learn our true reason for being…the only reason that we still call this planet home as a follower of Jesus Christ …we have been left behind to BEAR MUCH FRUIT.

So the question becomes….What is fruit and how do I know if I am bearing much, little or none at all?

For many, the biblical understanding of fruit is the winning of souls to Jesus Christ …and that would be whole heartily correct; but, if we examine other scriptures throughout God’s word, we would find this definition of “being fruitful” too limiting. Take for instance Titus 3:14 that reads, “Let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.”

So in practical terms, fruit represents good works…a work of thought, attitude or action of ours that God values and that in our doing glorifies Him…the fruit from our lives is how God receives the honor and glory due Him here on earth.

Now, we produce inner fruit when we allow God to make us more like Jesus…to make us more Christ-like in the “fruits of the Spirit” which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22…and we bear outward fruit when our labor for the Lord brings Him glory, which would certainly include winning others to the life-saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

So, whether you are raking leaves and doing yard work for the widow down the street or planting a church as a missionary in the deepest jungles of Africa, outward fruit is a result of your inward motive to bring God glory. No matter how small your task for the Lord nor how great its intended outcome, your dreams of serving God will always be too small…so remember this…

WE ARE STILL HERE TO FULFILL GOD’S DREAMS….AND TO BRING HIM GLORY THROUGH A REMARKABLELY LIVED ABUNDANT LIFE.

Just look in your fruit basket and check out how you are doing…..until next time,

Living for the Savior ….Bearing Much Fruit,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:

If you want to live for Jesus,
Have others see Jesus in you;
Then you should seek to abide in Him
In everything you do.

Your life should be an open book…
Each page tells His great story;
And all the things you say and do
Will bring the Father glory.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Abiding  in the Savior…Sailing Life's Stormy Seas

After yesterday’s thought, I hope you were left with the unequivocal assurance that you belong to Jesus and you have committed yourself to complete surrender. So, now your are ready to take the first step along the road to a fulfilling life in Christ ….ABIDING IN THE SAVIOR!

Before Christ left the Upper Room, he drew that small band of men known as his disciples into a tightly formed circle (my conjecture) and began to share with them his dying words. He spoke gently, but firmly to them, as he continued to teach them and to prepare them for what the next hours and days would bring. He told them in John 15. “ I am the true Vine and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away and every branch that bears fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Abide in me as I abide in you. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15: 1-2, 4a, 5

Did you catch all that? Do you hear the words of your Savior just hours before he began his journey to the cross of Calvary? Do you fully understand all that he is trying to tell each of us as He prepares us for what lies ahead?

I believe I can best illustrate what Jesus was saying by sharing a little of my history regarding my service in the US Navy…and some interesting parallels that will help us understand this concept of abiding.

Now, I was stationed aboard an old tin can destroyer, USS Strong DD-758, a World War II relic, if ever there was one. Our ship was tethered to the pier in our home port of Charleston, SC when it wasn’t in route overseas for a  Mediterranean cruise or sailing about the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean. I learned early as a seaman in the deck force that the ship needed to be in the water to do the most good…to perform its duties and function as a member of the Sixth Fleet. I also learned that though it was good for the ship to be in the water, it was extremely BAD for the water to get into the ship.

The ship had to abide in the water or it was just a large hunk of metal that had little value…it could not fulfill its true mission as a naval vessel unless it was in the water; however, it made for a very bad situation if the water got into the ship.

Now in this example, the water is two very distinct things….it is Jesus and it is the World. For each of us to reach our highest and greatest potential, we need to be like the ship and abide in the water…Jesus. If we are taken out of the water, we will be of little value; not much more than a big pile of flesh and bones, waiting for the undertaker. In the water of Jesus, we are free to sail far and wide as we accomplish the things that we were created to do; but, in the water as the World, we face serious problems if we let the world inside of us.

Trust me, you do not want to be in the middle of the ocean and hear the command to “abandon ship”….the only place you have to go is into the water…and many a sailor has drowned at sea when they left the comforts of their vessel for the dark waters of a raging storm.

So how do we keep the water out of us, yet sail unfettered in this world in which we live…we abide in Jesus and we do as he taught his disciples….GUARD YOUR HEART!

Dr. Bruce Wilkinson’s book, SECRETS OF THE VINE, offers some helpful insights to help us understand how we can guard our hearts from the drowning effects of the water of the world…so, come back tomorrow and we will uncover these wonderful principles together.

Sailing in the loving waters of my Savior,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:

If upon life's seas your tossed
And water gets in your boat…
Abide in Jesus, just trust in Him
And you will stay afloat.



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Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Surrender to the Savior

On my last writing, I posed the question, “ How does one go about abiding in the Lord” and how do we accomplish staying connected to “The Vine” in the tumultuous days in which we live? However, the better question to begin with is how do we know that we are indeed a “part of the Vine”

In scripture, we find my favorite story of the little man known as Zacchaeus in Luke 19, verses 1-11. Here, we see the total transformation of this tax collector as Jesus calls him down from his lofty perch and makes him his host for the evening meal. The Pharisees and others grumble that Jesus would have anything to do with such a sinner…. and Christ’s simple response, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he is also a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost!”

But notice in the verses just before Christ’s declaration of his life’s mission, Zacchaeus says, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will repay it fourfold.” It is in this declaration of this little man that we see a new heart born, filled with the love of God. It is that transformation that seals the deal and ushers Zacchaeus into a new relationship with the Lord of heaven and earth.

And the same must be true for you and me; before we can seek …before we can offer salvation…we must SURRENDER TO THE SAVIOR!!!!!

If we want to truly abide in the Son, we must first surrender our will to him…life can no longer revolve around what you or I want …it must revolve, evolve and involve the statement that Christ made on the doorstep of the home of this horrid little man that everyone despised…. we must surrender to Him so that we can seek and save those that are lost!

 Zacchaeus provides the perfect role model as he demonstrated submission to Jesus; he gave half of his wealth to the poor and sought to right the wrongs of his past. In other words, he repented and sought to live a new and better life. The same holds true for you and me. If we confess to belong to Jesus and truly seek to abide in Him, we cannot cling to our “old” ways, habits, shortcomings and idiosyncrasies…we must repent and refurbish the old life with the new indwelling of the Holy Spirit that is vital to anyone that wants to abide in Jesus.

So, today cast aside all the things that would keep you from complete surrender to Christ and begin ANEW in the freshness of the Savior…. listen for His voice, sing a new song, read His word and know that wherever you go, HE GOES…. so choose wisely!

Jesus came to seek and to save and if you will surrender your will to Him in a new and resolute way, you will be taking the first step to a new realm of personal intimacy with Jesus…. the life lived in abiding joy, peace and eternal fulfillment.

Come back again as we continue to learn how to draw close to Him…

Living in surrender…seeking the lost for the Savior,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:

You may attempt to persuade another to change their point of view;
But nothing speaks more plainly than what Christ has done in you.
So if another’s lifestyle you are hoping to rearrange
Testify how the Father’s love can make an everlasting change.






Monday, February 2, 2015

When the World Puts the Squeeze On….

We have all heard the old adage, “When the world hands you lemons, make lemonade!” This seems to be a strong statement of how we are to react when things don’t seem to go our way; however, I have a question that comes from a different vantage point that I would like for us to consider.

“What comes out of you when the world puts the squeeze on?” is a question that begs for an answer with a biblical bent. Now, we all know that if you squeeze fresh oranges, you get orange juice….with those little bits of pulp. If you squeeze lemons, you do indeed get the first ingredient of lemonade….LEMON JUICE. Grapes…grape juice! Apples….apple juice! Pomegranates….well, you get my drift!

But, what about when the world squeezes you and me….what kind of “juice” comes out? As Christians, we are to bear the “Fruits” of the Spirit and according to the passage in Galatians 5:22-23 that reads, “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

So when the pressures of life seem to be bearing down on you and the squeeze is on…. what “juice” comes out of you? Do you rejoice with a fellow employee that gets the promotion you wanted or do you belittle their worth with unkind words that reflect your attitude of “sour grapes”? Do you show kindness and patience when a rude driver cuts you off in traffic or do you fill the air with words that aren’t fit for use at church?

Whatever we do …wherever we go…. whatever we say…we should reflect the love and compassion of our Savior so that when the world applies pressure to our often tenuous situation …what is squeezed out of our mouth is characterized by His love, His grace and His mercy.

But how can we be sure that what comes out of us in times of intense pressure will be the fruit of the Spirit…. the simple answer is this…. we must abide in Him! Jesus told his disciples and us, on the night before his crucifixion, that we could do NOTHING without Him…that all of our hopes to accomplish anything for Him would meet failure …unless WE ABIDE IN HIM.

So no matter how we try to survive the real and on-going pressures of this world, we will fail… and what comes out of us WILL NOT be pleasing to our Heavenly Father, unless we learn to abide in the person of Jesus Christ.

If you’re not sure how to pull this off, yet you desperately want to have the fruits of the Spirit flowing from you when the world applies its devastating pressure; follow along over the next few days as we examine (from the Scriptures) how to abide in Jesus.

Abiding in Him…Enjoying the pressure,

WPQ

Thought for the Day:
Father, it is through your Spirit
We are filled with your love and power.
Please make us more like Jesus
Each day and every hour.