MORE FROGS!

Had I been an Egyptian during the times of Pharoah before the Exodus, I definitely would not have been delighted with more frogs! Well, since I'm NOT living with a plague of them, I will tell you why I have been tickled as the Lord has been blessing me with MORE FROGS!  It all began when I assisted only one time in a children's Sunday School class years ago.. That day, they were being shown to Fully Rely On God! AKA: FROG! For months afterwards, I purchased and circulated little rubber frogs to friends so they'd be reminded to rely!(on God, of course!)  Now, jumping forward a few years of my life, I find myself enjoying my Lord as yesterday, and already today (before 9 A.M), He's been leading me to many frogs around my home! (One of them was even inside of a 'super ball' which is half clear!)  It seems He is determined to remind me that I can, and should, fully rely on Him solely for the power, and strength to make choices which 'tickle' Him! I'm constantly assured, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.."  YES! This is why I've written about more FROGS today.. HE DELIGHTS in encouraging me to walk in constant triumph over my dead-in-sin nature..   COLOSSIANS 2:13-15 delight me now as I read how He's made me alive with Christ Jesus- having disarmed powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross!!

As I re-read this I noted the reciprocal ways He delights and tickles me and I, Him! We need not be hesitant to let HIM, and to return in kind.. F.R.O.G.!

P.B.'n J. vs. P.H.'n J.!?

Making choices in life constantly confounds me as my flesh battles against the Lord's best for/through me. So, what about today's title? Well, I love to tell others that 'True PEACE, HOPE and JOY are available to me at all times.' This is true if only I welcome the power of HIS presence within me as the Holy Spirit overpowers the enemy's attempts/intentions to rob me of the peace, hope and joy, I've realized I know a LOT of the time.. So, I 'get to' choose between a gooey, fattening, not-very-healthy, peanut butter and jelly sandwich (or another sort of indulgence!) and a much wiser option to eat. When I do choose healthily, the PEACE is worth the 'sacrifice' of not eating whatever was 'calling me' to eat unwisely..
I recall my early college years when I would ask my mentor why I insisted on depriving myself of the 'delight of discipline.' I still ask the same question.. Basically, the answer is that my creator chose to allow me a free will.. He wants me to be able to choose HIS BEST for/through me, rather than 'foist' his presence upon/within me... So, dear readers, I don't know what 'plagues' your mind, causing you to refuse his deliverance a lot of the time, but please join me in desiring the PEACE, HOPE AND JOY HE imparts, over the 'satisfaction?' found in a PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH. (or anything else that would leave you under conviction and 'wishing 'I hadn't done that!)
As I've typed this, many scriptures have come to mind... How about 'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,' from Romans 12:1-2 or "Set your minds on things above,....Put to death therefore what ever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.." from Colossians 3:2-5... We will do these more readily if we 'Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith who for the JOY set before Him, endured the cross...'(Hebrews 12:2) I'm sure many more came to your mind as you read.. Today, dear reader, may you, along with me, choose our 'claim' to the wondrous Peace, Hope, and Joy that only comes by letting our Lord's presence rule over our earthly nature moment by moment because HE LOVES US!

SHOPPIN' FOR RELIGION?

Today's title is inspired by a local real estate office's reader board.. On one side it speaks of a property with 'Peek-a-Boo' views and the other side speaks of one with a 'mother-in-law' unit included.. The 'peek-a-boo' really made me giggle the first time I read it... Now, where am I going with this train of thought... WELL, I'm just beginning to wonder how many individuals have 'shopping lists' when they begin to search for that elusive 'whatever is missing inside of me..' Often, as one is realizing the need for help from that 'higher power,' (or whatever!) they dread the prospect of walking through the door of 'just any old church,' etc.. They have preconceived fears, prejudices, and other hesitations.. Many probably think they'll have to ''give up" the 'good times and all included in them.' So we, as the Lord's children, have the responsibility to represent the desirability of a personal relationship to the LORD, as the true answer for the emptiness mankind experiences at some point in life. I am wondering which 'features' of my love for the LORD might attract a seeker to Him, were they to be displayed in a 'reader board format.' Peacefulness, joyfulness, and hopefulness are just 3 of the ones I'd hope would be 'advertised.'
I am going to switch 'trains' at this point to simply affirm what most of us know if we are already the LORD's--- We are NOT 'RELIGIOUS,' but are ones who live in a deepening personal relationship to HIM!-THE KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS! Those who are seeking a 'religion' to satisfy them or to provide a sense of 'purpose for living,' will only be perpetually empty inside.. For, it is only the LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF- THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, that can abort the 'shopping for a good religion' trip!!

WHOSE TURN TO TURN?

As I considered the possible uses of this morning's time slot for my 'study/writing/quiet' time, I realized I needed to concentrate on the gist of this message.... One of my family members is my inspiration since they have acquired an affectionate nickname of 'Wrong-way_____.' For, it seems this individual is 'directionally impaired,' especially when it comes to learning their way around this area we live in.... So, each time they realize they are headed the wrong direction, they must decide to 'swallow their pride,' then, turn around!! Well.... That is just about like any/all of us who find ourselves needing to relinquish our 'rights' to any bad habits or indulgences so we may truly turn to our Lord for his strength and direction in our lives.. Recently, I have adopted this phrase... "To turn, is to return.." For me, it means realizing my dependence upon our LORD so I can live the truth of the first song I heard on my Morning Devotions radio show on KCIS AM630 today..The song was, STRENGTH WILL RISE AS WE WAIT UPON THE LORD. Now, 3 or 4 songs later, I've turned up the radio volume to "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH."
I don't know about any of you readers 'out there,' but I am not one who makes New Year's resolutions. I do realize though when I need to intentionally turn from my sinful indulgences so I can glorify my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST daily.. For, when I do, the JOY He fills me with is beyond description! Strength to resist temptations comes from swallowing my pride instead of all that I consider to be so 'desirable.' Blessings to all who read this! Which scripture verses can you think of to support your desires to glorify the Lord??

THINKIN' 'INSIDE THE BOX'

Nowadays, the common phrase is, "THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX"- YET, as I sit in our warm, lovingly Christmas decorated living room, I see all the newly wrapped gifts around our tree. This makes me wonder.. Would anyone EVER NOT open one that has their name on it? If they did refuse to do so, could it possibly be they feared it would be empty, thus they'd be extremely hurt, disappointed, and/or humiliated? IF 'human nature' is as strong as I know it to be, we can rest assured most anyone would 'shelve' those fears so they could get to what is intended for them...
SO, WHAT IS the REASON FOR SO MANY OF US HUMAN BEINGS NOT being willing to open THE ULTIMATE GIFT who is THE REASON for the SEASON? I'm thinking, "What happens if I pray to invite the Lord into my life, and He's NOT REALLY THERE?" may be a primary cause.. Even more than pride, I am convinced that fear of possible disappointment if God is not truly 'there,' and willing become involved with me personally, keeps many from even opening their present of eternal life and the true PEACE, HOPE, AND JOY contained within a relationship to the LORD. Thus, my message to any who read this is simply, GOD IS THERE and HE IS FOR YOU TO KNOW PERSONALLY- PLEASE, DO open your heart and soul to HIM since HE took human form over 2,000 years ago, then sacrificed his life so the wages of your sin are paid, thus reconciling you to HIM forever!
LAY aside the lie of PRIDE which says, "I can do it myself!" Truth is, you can't provide eternal security for yourself or provide the relief found only through the mercy and grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.. HE IS SO WONDROUSLY FAITHFUL-- Let HIM show you just how much!!! HE TREASURES you and DESIRES your fellowship with HIM directly... 'Blessed wishes' to all who read this!

OUR PRESENTS or HIS PRESENCE?

SIMPLY PUT, MY THOUGHTS TODAY ARE ASKING WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT? The title says it all.... MY SOUL YEARNS FOR MORE OF THE LORD'S PRESENCE TO BE RESPONDED TO BY ME... HE'S TRULY, ALWAYS HERE WITH, AND IN, ME.. SOMEHOW, THE gifts under the tree have lost most all of their appeal.... (except for the joy of allowing others the pleasure of giving... Hey! That's like our Lord's joy in giving!!)
Basically though, the gifts I pray for anyone reading this are TRUE PEACE, HOPE, and JOY resulting from receiving the LORD'S mercy, grace, and righteousness-- only possible through THE ULTIMATE GIFT! This, of course, is the arrival of the LORD of ALL in human form, followed by the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE of HIS life so we could receive full and true LIFE!!! JESUS did say, 'I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE!' I trust YOU will all rejoice in the PRESENCE of our LORD this year and forever!!

ETERNAL LIFE BEGINS ON EARTH!

AS I SIT HERE EARLY THIS MORNING, MY SOUL CRIES OUT TO HELP ANY WHO MAY READ THIS REALIZE HOW TRUE LIFE IS MEANT TO BE EXPERIENCED DAILY WHILE WE ARE STILL ON EARTH, AS WELL AS AFTER OUR BODIES EXPIRE... JESUS CAME TO GIVE 'LIFE ABUNDANT,' AND TOLD US HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE! ANYONE WHO CHOOSES TO FOLLOW HIM, YIELDING THEIR WELFARE TO HIS CARE, WILL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE TRUE PEACE, HOPE, JOY, PURPOSE , AND SO MUCH MORE, FOR HE IS FAITHFUL IN HIS MERCY, GRACE, AND FORGIVENESS. HE DESIRES TRUE COMMUNION AND FELLOWSHIP WITH US SO HE LIVES WITHIN THOSE WHO WILL WELCOME HIM INTO THEIR HEARTS (SOULS- minds, emotions, and wills).... HAVE YOU DONE SO? IF NOT, WHY NOT? ETERNAL LIFE (the security of knowing you can/do live in a right relationship to the LORD ALMIGHTY) is for you NOW and FOREVER! JUST PRAY, 'THANK YOU JESUS FOR DYING FOR MY SINS SO I CAN BE RECONCILED TO YOU, MY LORD, AND LEARN TO GROW IN YOUR LOVE and LIFE, FOR AND THROUGH ME! I WELCOME YOU NOW! IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN! BY THE WAY, passages from the Gospel of JOHN, chapters 8 and 10 are referred to in this message... Truths from several other scriptures are also here... If you'd like to, read the Gospel of JOHN, especially the mentioned chapters along with chapter 3! Let the Word of God speak more directly to you!