Routines

We all have a routine. In fact, many of us have several. Some routines may only last a few weeks, others a lifetime.

There are many types of routines (yep, we can be very creative)...

Some are essential in order to function in modern society like - showering regularly, brushing teeth, combing hair, etc. Other routines are self created like... needing to drink a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Or even reading a few pages in a book in order to help fall asleep at night.

We were made in God's image, but that doesn't mean we are consistent in doing what we should be doing. You see, just like us, God has a few routines of His own. The one difference is that His routines are not selfish or self imposed. However, God's routines ARE essential for our eternal salvation.

If I were to guess, I'd say here are a few of God's top routines:

1. Forgiveness
2. Mercy
3. Love
4. Patience
5. Kindness

You see, without God following these daily routines we would have absolutely no chance of eternal life. Salvation would be lost.

So, tonight begin a new routine for yourself. Begin the routine of prayer. Take time to speak to God through daily prayer. It will be something you will never regret.

I know that God won't break His routine.

Will you?

"The miracle is not that I finished. It's that I had the courage to start."
-John Bigham


God bless you. And this is for His Glory!

Mi Amore

On very rare occasions you find two people that are inseparable from very first time they meet.

From an early age Adam and Jessica were two people that you knew were always meant to be together. From the first time they met in the second grade everyone could tell they were going to be "boyfriend and girlfriend" some day. As predicated, once they grew older they began dating in junior high school. Rarely did you ever see them apart.

Later, after Adam and Jessica graduated from high school they went on to college and dated all four years of college. It was not long after graduation that Adam proposed and they were married.

Adam and Jessica had a very special relationship. When people saw them together they would say (or think)... "That's the type of relationship that I want."

One evening they were driving home from a New Years Eve party and were hit by a drunk driver. Instantly Adam became a quadriplegic from the impact of the crash.

Jessica was only twenty-five years old at the time and no one would have blamed her if she decided to put Adam in a nursing home to handle the demanding need of a quadriplegic. Sadly, there was nothing anyone could do for Adam. He would most likely remain paralyzed for the rest of his life. However, for Jessica, she had her entire life in front of her...with hopes and dreams that she still wanted to accomplish.

Jessica went to church and prayed for guidance on what to do. It was an extremely burdensome decision for a twenty-five year old. But Jessica had loved Adam from the first moment they met. After praying, she made the decision to put her faith in God and to not only be Adam's caretaker, but to remain his wife. At the young age of twenty-five she was the wife of a man who would never be able to move his arms or legs again.

Friends, family and others who became familiar with the situation could not believe the decision she made. However, it wasn't long before everyone began to understand how deep and loyal Jessica's love for Adam was. Through Adam and Jessica's trials, other people began see the true meaning of love. Through Jesscia's example of selfless love, others began to see how much they took their existing relationships for granted. Others began to pray and thank God for the wonderful gifts in their lives. Others began to pray asking to be blessed with the same depth of love that Jessica showed for Adam. Through Jessica's trials others began to turn toward God.

Out of tragedy, the glorification of God was mobilized through thousands of people as they heard this story of true love. Through Jessica's faith and obedience to God, I wonder how many souls were saved because of her decision?

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

God bless you. And this if for His Glory!

Come Home

The following short story was posted by Nancy Leigh DeMoss on her site: http://www.seekinghim.com/

(I added the 2 passages from Ephesians)

Lorna Wilkinson had just left her alcoholic husband of twenty-one years when she came across our radio program, Revive Our Hearts. There she learned about the forgiveness God is willing to extend to us. Soon she came to faith in Christ.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Right about that time she also received news that her husband had suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital. She was convicted to go there and forgive him for the pain and chaos he had brought to their home.

“The Lord spoke in my heart and said, ‘Go and whisper in your husband's ear that he doesn't have to worry about a place to live, to come home.’"

Lorna’s life and marriage were miraculously transformed. Four months later her husband had another heart attack and was suddenly taken home to be with the Lord.

Now Lorna says, “I can’t imagine where I’d be today if I hadn’t made the choice to forgive.”

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)

Final Thoughts and remembering 911:
Sometimes forgiveness is the one of the hardest things for us to do. Many times we devote "lip service" to the act of forgiveness, but in our hearts we may not truly mean it.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23 (NIV)

God makes it very clear that if we do not forgive others their trespasses that He will not forgive our own. (Luke6:37 & Matt6:15).

On this 8th anniversary of the Sept. 11th 2001 attacks, take a moment to stop and pray for the families of those that lost friends and loved ones. Then pray for those that selflessly came to the rescue of those in need (firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and all volunteers). Finally, take another moment to pray for those that committed that terrible act. There cannot be any room in our hearts to say "never will I forgive them for what they've done". The Lord will judge each of us and He alone will have vengeance.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”says the Lord.
Romans 12:19 (NIV)

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!

Good Friday

Good Friday is the day observed by many Christians as the day that Jesus was crucified at Golgotha. The day is also known as Black Friday, Holy Friday and even Great Friday.

Irregardless of what we call it, let's look at it for what it was and still is...it was Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for us.

As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane he was very much aware of what was getting ready to transpire. He did not run or hide, but stayed and accepted the will of His Father in order to fulfill scripture and glorify God's name.

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

John 17:1

Jesus died because He was the only one who could pay for our sins. God sent His one and only Son to die for us. He sacrificed the perfect Lamb to wipe away our transgressions so that, upon death, we might have an opportunity to enter into His Kingdom.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:23

God did this out of love for us...and even as Jesus hung dying on the cross he prayed for His executioners...

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Luke 23:34


Final thoughts -

Good Friday stands as an important to reminder of Christ's sacrifice. His crucifixion should be something that we reflect upon regularly - not just one day out of the year.

Pray with me and let us give thanks to our Lord for His sacrifice -

Oh Lord, we thank you for the great sacrifice that you made to cleanse our sins. Let us keep mindful of Your holy word and act in a manner that pleases and glorifies Your name.

May we always be reminded to repent of our sins daily, and to love one another as You have loved us.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

God bless you. And this is for His glory.

Perfection...or lack thereof

At times, I can’t help but feel like a hypocrite. There are situations where the stresses of life take over and I act in a manner that is far from being a Christian. I know that this is part of being human, for we are not perfect. Actually, no one is perfect except for God. However, I always end up feeling like I let Him down, my family down, and even myself down when I act in a foolish manner.

Why is it so hard to love our neighbor as ourselves? Why is it so hard to resist saying something in response to something that was said to us? Why is it so hard to put other people first?

Each day we are faced with temptation. The devil’s hatred of God is beyond our comprehension and he works 24/7/365 to try and get us to sin. It is through sin that the devil wins these small battles that take us farther away from God’s grace. However, through faith and perseverance, it is up to us win the war. By “winning the war” I am referring to resisting temptation, obeying God’s words, and bouncing back when you’re faith is down. We do this with one goal in mind - so that we have a chance to pass though the gates of Heaven on our day of judgment.

So how do we win the war against sin? First and foremost, we must familiarize ourselves with God’s word, i.e. the Bible. We must commit ourselves to thinking and acting in the way that the Bible tells us to. This is indeed a repetitive act and becomes much more than a “one time shot”…it is a lifetime commitment. The hard part is more in the execution than it is in absorbing His word.

27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

30I and the Father are one."

John 10:27-30


Final Thoughts -

When we think about it - doesn’t if feel better when we do something good? In times when we inadvertently distance ourselves from God, doesn’t something just not feel right? We will all be judged on our actions, our in-actions, and the thoughts within our hearts.

So, the next time you are about to respond or act in a highly emotional manner consider the following verse from the Book of Romans before you act.

16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

Romans 12:16-19

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!