Love and Happiness - Part 2

Love and Happiness - Part 2

Tuesday's Truth: Living the Good Life!

Take your marriage seriously. If you care for it, it will care for you! We must know that marriage isn't an idea or thought, but it is the most intimate connection of two souls which become one and if true, can withstand EVERY test and EVERY trial that comes against it. Living together with your spouse, in harmony and in tune with one another is indeed what we call, "Living a Good Life"...and in my case, I'M LIVING THE GOOD LIFE BECAUSE I HAVE A GOOD WIFE!

The Bible is clear..."Find a good spouse, you find a good life — and even more: the favor of God!" (Proverbs 18:22 MSG)

Truth is, cherish what you have in marriage...God does!

Love and Happiness - Part I

My Pastor has begun an "Occasional" teaching series on "Love and Happiness" in both marriage and relationships. In response, I will dedicate my daily devotional to this teaching for this week.

Monday's Meditation: "Love and Happiness"

Question #1: When is the last time that you went to bed recounting how wonderful, how supportive and how helpful your spouse has been to you just in that day?

Far to often, we rather focus on the few things that didn't get done the way that we would have liked them to get done... yea, it got done, but we are all tripped out about how it got done!

Question #2: When is the last time that you called your spouse to you, embraced, and looked them in the eye and told them all that is right about them, reminded them that they are your first and only choice in this world and confirmed with a kiss that they are loved and appreciated?

Today, "Go All Out in Your Love", think about that special person in your life and don't focus on the few things that you don't like, but instead uplift, embrace and encourage the positives... the positives, you'll find, far outweigh the negatives!

"Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything He does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage." (Ephesians 5:25-28 MSG)

GOD Gets THE LAST WORD!!!

God Gets THE LAST WORD!!

All of us have gone through some storms during our lifetime. All of us have had to deal with difficult people from time to time and oftentimes, the difficult person most likely was self. All of us have struggled financially, emotionally, physically, relationally and perhaps even socially. However, I have woke up this morning to tell you and to remind myself, that trouble doesn't last always! 

Hear now what The Word of God has to say: 

"Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does." (1 Peter 5:8-11 MSG)

Be on alert for your help is on the way. SMILE BIG, enjoy your weekend and FINISH STRONG!!

Lineup for Jesus!

Wednesday's Word: Lineup for Jesus!

Within the last two weeks the big buzz was and is the iPhone 6. It has been shown on television, reported on twitter and talked about around the office water coolers. We have witnessed long lines which began a full week ahead of the release of this past weekend with people literally sleeping on the streets!

Well it was less than 5 minutes before the very first iPhone 6 customer tried to open his box to see his new phone, that it went crashing to the floor. Also, in less than one week this very expensive phone is now being reported that it is bending when carried in your pocket! 

All of the hype, sleeping on the street, long lines, expense and lofty expectations...all of this for a phone? Why do we get this so twisted?

If we have expectations in "things", we only guarantee our frustration. However, when we put our expectations; our hope; our dreams; and our trust in Christ, we will never be disappointed, left wanting, or let down. Question: Who's in line for redemption? Who's in line for forgiveness? Who's in line for righteousness? Who's in line for Jesus?

Be blessed by making the right decision instead of disappointed by making a wrong decision.

And He (Jesus) said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15 NKJV)

Sincerity

Tuesday's Truth: In order for us to make a difference doesn't necessarily mean that we have to be different, we just need to be sincere (free of deceit, hypocrisy or falseness). People are looking for those who are genuine, real, unmixed an unadulterated.

Today choose to live right and be sincere in your calling and relationship with God and watch God make a difference, not only in your life, but also in the lives of all of those connected to you.

Truth is, we are not the difference makers, God is!

Love Builds Up

Monday's Meditation: Love Builds Up!

1 Corinthians 8:1 says, "We know that we all possess knowledge. But knowledge puffs up while love builds up."

Think on this verse today on how Knowledge "PUFFS one up", then think of the opposite, that unlike knowledge, Love doesn't puff up, but it BUILDS ONE UP.

What does this verse say to you about knowledge and love?

God Will Do It

Tuesday's Truth: God Will Do It

Trust God with everything about you! If there is something that you are seeking, Trust God. If there is something that you are in need of, Trust God. If there is something that you trying to achieve in your personal life, family, or career...Trust God.

Don't be proud, obnoxious and arrogant...instead by polite, kind and confident.  Humble yourself in your situation and before God and at just the right time, God will promote you; lift you; and gift you for the next level living that He has already prepared for you! Be patient, your blessing is closer than you can imagine!

Truth is, He has done it for me and He'll do it for you!

"All of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people. So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; He'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you." (1 Peter 5:5-7 (MSG)

Have You Heard?

Monday's Meditation: Have You Heard?

Don't be fooled into worshipping things, people, positions and money.  None of these things can keep a promise to you; None of these things can protect you; None of these things can hear and therefore answer your prayers; and None of these things will greet you in eternity.  

Today, think on those things that you pursue, those things that you are striving for and those things that you most desire. Aren't we running after things that were already given as a promise to us anyway? Don't we already have everything that we will ever have need of in Christ Jesus? Isn't it true that all of the gold and silver; cattle and land already belong to our Father?  Aren't we called to be His children? 

So, what is it that we really need?  God will provide all that we will ever need according to His riches and glory!

Now you've heard!

"It is the LORD who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies..." (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭35‬ NLT)

I Laid Down in Confidence and I Woke Up Encouraged - In Spite of it ALL!!

Finishing Strong Friday means to lay down in confidence on Thursday!  Yep, despite a pressure packed day on yesterday, the news of Air Strikes by our military in Syria and a heavy dose of domestic violence that is all to prevalent and affects all of us...I layed down and I slept in peace of mind and comfort...Yes, I layed down with an assurane that a new day was on the way.  Not just a new day, but a new day full of potential and promise!  Yes, a new day to love more, support better and to live into and not contrary to my purpose.  

I truly believe that we can all Finish Strong every day when we trust God's Word and let it fill our hearts and give us hope that, "A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful."  (‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭78‬ GW)

Have a wonderful weekend!

DON'T SLEEP IN & MISS OUT!

Thankful Thursday: DON'T SLEEP IN & MISS OUT!!! Waking up early powers up my day!

Why would I even begin to think that getting up early actually gives me more power; more drive; more enthusiasm; stamina; courage; boldness and focus?

Read the story in Exodus chapter 16 of "The Bread from Heaven", the Manna that fell from Heaven which appeared early each morning when the Dew lifted (verse 14). Each one of God's children was to gather ALL THAT THEY HAD NEED OF, and this Bread from Heaven would sustain them throughout the entire day. Now, we must understand that the Manna was only supplied in the early morning and would dry up and spoil if not consumed during that day. If you slept too long, the Manna would be no more for that day...it must be gathered in the early morning hours.

So it is still to this day that we are fed the spiritual "Bread from Heaven" early each morning and we must understand that we are to feed to we are FULL each day and we will be sustained until we are replenished early the next morning. This spiritual nourishment is endless and necessary for our lives! God's Word says that man shall not live on bread (physical nourishment) alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

I'm THANKFUL to read God's Word, meditate on God's Word, pray God's Word and then share God's Word...early every morning!

The Bible says this about the people and the Manna, "So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted." (Exodus 16:21 NKJV)

DON'T SLEEP IN & MISS OUT...Instead of grumbling about how early you woke up, give thanks and get fed!

Have Faith in God

Wednesday's Word: "Have Faith in God."

Your Faith allows GOD to do things for you that no one saw coming. Don't let anyone's commentary discourage your faith. - Hart Ramsey

"So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God." (Mark 11:22 NKJV)

Doom and Gloom vs. Hope and Holiness

Tuesday's Truth: Doom and Gloom vs. Hope and Holiness.

Yes, the signs of the end are evidence that we are nearing the end. We see wars and hear of more wars. The family unit has suffered, diseases are rampant and drugs/chemicals are destroying our communities.

Yet, amongst all of the defiled, destroyed and division we STILL have The Gospel...yes, there's STILL Good News!

People are STILL being delivered.
People are STILL being set free.
People are STILL being Saved and the devil will STILL be totally defeated in the end.

Know today that the truth of the matter is that it doesn't matter when the end finally comes, but it does matter how we are living out our time that we have right now. We have been entrusted with The Gospel to tell God's people that in the end we win in Christ Jesus!

Come what may, we can be anchored in Jesus and that is Good News!

"The gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace." (Colossians 1:6 NIV)

Truth is...we must see the Good through all of the bad. It's there and it's available to those who want it.

It is Today (again)!

Monday's Meditation: It is Today again. 

So, is this the Today that you vowed that you will do what you have been putting off to do? Think about this, if we were crossing out each Today on a list, then truly this Today will be one less Today than you had on yesterday. How many more Todays do we have to put off until tomorrow? Hmmmmm.....


"There is another reason for doing what is right. You know what time it is. It is time for you to wake up from your sleep. The time when we will be taken up to be with Christ is not as far off as when we first put our trust in Him."(Romans 13:11 NLV)


Don't put off for tomorrow the right that you need to do Today!

Get up and Get Going

Finishing Strong Friday: Get up and Get Going, because "Late in the Midnight Hour", God has ALREADY turned it around!

Live today, move today and manifest today the blessing and favor of one who's situation was turned around "Late in the Midnight Hour"!

FAITH and unbelief or GOD and satan...You Choose!

Wednesday's Word: FAITH and unbelief or GOD and satan…you choose!

If we want the benefits of the gospel, do what is required to get’em. However, I cannot guarantee the benefits according to the gospel until we meet the condition of having FAITH.  Hmmmm, are the benefits worth the efforts in meeting the condition of having FAITH? If the answer is “Yes”, then do as we are instructed! Simple enough isn't it? Please know that we cannot expect God to give us these benefits when we fail to do as He requires.  No, it doesn't work that way as He is not that kind of God. He will not break His laws for anyone…including you!  He knows that every single one of us can, if we want, choose to meet the condition of having unwavering FAITH.  Let’s quit fooling ourselves and let us quit complaining that it is too hard to believe.  Really? When we do this, we are indeed engaging in a sinful attitude and we need to ask God to forgive us for believing more the lies of Satan than the truth of God.  As long as we cooperate with our enemy and allow unbelief, we cannot cooperate with God and exercise true FAITH. Truly, we cannot serve two masters or have FAITH and unbelief in our life at the same time.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24a)

I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency

Tuesday's Truth: I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency!!

I have had the pleasure to be off of work for 7 days straight. I have enjoyed putting my daughter on the school bus everyday. I have been blessed to journey to my hometown for my 30th Reunion and visit with friends that I went to school with. I went to see Pastor Massey and his family at the First Baptist Church of Freedom. I spent an entire day with my best friend Terri Tomalski Cyprowski and her husband Kevin.  

Now I'm back home, sitting here thinking "back to reality" with almost a negative connotation...BUT THEN, I decided to lay back down for only a moment, but not to sleep but to pray. I prayed and then I read God's truth about today, about tomorrow and about my future...therefore the thought for today, "I have everything that I need for today - I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency!!"

After I prayed and read God's Word, I was reminded that my reality is better than any fantasy! We can dream of living on top of the world, having the perfect job (or no job), the perfect family, the perfect home, carefree; footloose and fancy-free lifestyle and that all "sounds" and "seems" good. However, the reality is that I don't live on top of the world, but within the modestness and humbleness of "WHO" God called me to be. I don't have the perfect job, but God has gifted me to do what I do and to do it well, and it brings glory unto Him. My family is far from perfect, so I am reminded to pray for them and myself each and everyday to a God who is perfect and who promises to not withhold any good and perfect thing from those who love Him. My house tends to be more disheveled than tidy; I'm financially  strapped more than I can allow myself to be footloose and fancy-free...BUT STILL, my reality is better because I have Jesus and because of this Truth, there is absolutely nothing that I cannot have and there is absolutely nothing that I cannot do!!

"I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ AMP)

The Truth Is....that with Christ, our reality is better than any fantasy...know that we are sufficient in Christ's sufficiency!