Redeem the time...

Okay, before we get to our verse to memorize this week, let's take a look back at our last verses. Our first verse came from John 3:30..."He must increase, but I must decrease." Last week's verse was in Acts 6:4..."Be we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word." How many of you were able to say those without help of reading the scripture written out? Let me know how you are doing on your memorization so far.

Well, that leads us to this weeks verses. I have to admit, I got this from the daily email devotion from Lifeway's "Experiencing God Today" from this morning. It shared the following verses from Ephesians 5:15 & 16..."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

These verses are calling us to be careful and walk through this world with our "eyes open" to what is going on about us. Redeeming the time...do you wonder what that could mean? Have you ever taken glass bottles back to "redeem" them for trade-in value or "redeemed" a certificate for payment? What this means to me is that we share our testimony of Jesus in us, so that we may "redeem" those works for crowns in the hereafter. Redeem the time and give it to Jesus for His purposes for your life today.

Think of what is said in John 9:4..."I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." We must do the work today, don't procrastinate and put it off for another day or another person to do. If someone is placed in your way today, you MUST do what you can to share the words that God has given you to share with them.

Do your part in the coming days, weeks, months, and even years...because we know not when the Lord will come and no man can work anymore. Chances will be gone. I relate this again to the song...what if we lived everyday like we were dying? Would we be more willing to share and get out of our comfort zone? Think about that one...

Let's look again at our verses for the week from Epheasian 5:15 & 16..."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Think on it, share it with others, and let God speak through His Word to everyone of us today!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...

Unceasing prayer...

Fall is definitely in the air! Cooler weather and leaves all over the ground. We just finished our Sunday School campaign at our church and I am looking forward to what God is going to do this weekend. I am also looking forward to seeing the classes take what they've been focused on for eight weeks, and running with it. The focus has been reaching out "missionally" with each individual class. The campaign has ended, but we have challenged the teachers and classes to not let it end there.

Let's take another look today at our verse for the week in Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." Have you got it memorized? This week's verse I kept getting words turned around. This morning, I can say that I typed without the assistance of YouVersion. The past couple posts, I can't say that for. Have you been setting aside your time for prayer AND Bible study? Some days are easier to follow through than others, but let's make a concentrated effort to do it daily!

Okay, now let's test your memory from last week. The verse is John 3:30..."He must increase, but I must decrease." Do you still remember that one? I went in to church Wednesday and was just saying hi to one of the members, when they started quoting the scriptures we have been memorizing. It is a blessing to see others taking the initiative to learn scriptures, too. Have you taken the challenge seriously? Start today and see what God will do if you are willing to take His Word into your heart...

Let's take another look in the scriptures today, that will go right along with our verse of the week. It comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:17..."Pray without ceasing." This can be a challenge during our hectic, loud days to take a few moments to be still and silent and lift our voices unto the Lord. Do your prayers have an end??? do they seem to continue on??? We are called to pray without ceasing and be in a mindset of prayer at all times.

Take a few moments and go over our verses from the past two weeks again. Let the words speak to you. Repeat them over again...and again...think on them...pray that God will use them in your life today...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...

He's still on the throne!!!

Am back at the computer this morning, after quite an eventful day with a dentist elbow-deep in my mouth doing a root canal. Okay, maybe not elbow-deep, it just seemed that way. First things first, let's look at our verse to memorize for this week. It's found in Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." At the point we are in our history as a nation and Christians, this is more important than ever!!!

The signs of the times are everywhere. I have heard that my whole life, but am starting to notice it myself, as well. I guess that is a sign of growth and maturity? Never thought I would link those words to myself, but things do happen.

Since the results of the election, I have heard varied responses from...this is the end of life as we know it...to people equating our new President-elect to the anti-Christ...and even calling him the Messiah...now that is scary and unnecessary! My biggest thing in all this is...God is still on His throne and in control!

This is evident throughout history and is shown quite well in the book of Daniel, which we have been studying on Sunday nights. God can use even the vilest of rulers for His cause. He can also use His people to show His power to an unbelieving ruler, as well.

For those of you who have lost heart, I was sent this verse via Twitter the other evening by Max Lucado. It set my concerned mind at ease. It is found in Proverbs 21:1..."The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

WOW!!! We can keep our faith in the Lord and He will take care of things??? Okay, that was sarcasm. But, when we take our eyes of Him and start wondering what we are going to do in dire circumstances, we need a reality check. Don't lose faith...there is hope...remember our verse this week and give yourself to prayer continually and the ministry of the Word!!! Don't put all your hope in man, they will fail and disappoint, put your faith and hope in the One who has never failed!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today!!!

Feeding the wolf...

Okay, before we get into the news of the day, I want to take another look at our verse of the week. It comes from Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." Rather simply, we are called to keep in contact with the Lord both through our prayer time as well as our Bible reading and study time.

Yesterday, we focused along the lines of prayer, so today let's look at a few verses in relation to our study of the Bible. Our first verse comes from 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." I am sure you have all heard this verse, but have you ever noticed that it portrays our study as a job? We are called a "workman"...and we are supposed to study the bible and be confident in what it tells us. If we spend no time in the Word, how can we be confident that we know and are doing what it says?

Our next scripture comes from Luke 4:4..."And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." This verse shows the necessity of having the Word of God as a part of daily "intake". Not only do we need physical foods to live and survive this life, but spiritual foods to prosper in the sight of the Lord.

This reminds me of the story I heard about a boy visiting with his Cherokee grandfather. They were talking about inner battles we face in life. The grendfather equated the battles to having two "wolves" that battle for victory. One "wolf" is Evil and the other is Good. When asked which wolf wins the battles, the grandfather says..."the one you feed"...

Which "wolf" are you feeding in your life? Are you feeding on the Word of God daily or are you sustaining yourself with the fruits this world has to offer? The "wolf" you feed will win in your daily struggles. Take another look at our verse for the week in Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

Think on it...pray about it...and feed yourself on the Words contained...

Finally, I would ask that everyone be in a state of prayer for the election going on today. I am not promoting here for one or the other, but rather that God's will be done. I voted this morning, and ask that you vote, too. Stand up and let everyone know you voted!!! Please don't stump for one or the other here, though...

Let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today...

Give yourself continually...

For our memorization challenge for this week, we look at Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." This continues on with the teaching from last week's memory verse in John 3:30, where we learned that "He must increase, but I must decrease." If we are to grow closer to God and have His will made evident in our lives, we must follow these words CONSTANTLY!!!

As we go into this week, let's take a moment and see how we are or aren't to pray...Let's take a look at Matthew 6:5-8..."And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

This is calling us to a personal, private prayer relationship with the Lord. We are to pray as if no one is there but us and the Lord. It is not necessary to say the loftiest words and recitations to make ourselves look good. Because, those who pray to be heard have their reward. If we take our requests privily and secretly, the Lord will reward openly. Also, realize that the Lord knows your needs before you even state them. This doesn't mean to take that for granted, but rather feel confident to make them known personally.

We need to have a special place and time that we meet with God daily...whether in a closet, bedroom, office, or wherever you feel led. Not only do we need to spend our time in prayer, but also in the Word. Be thinking on our new verse during the coming days. Once again, it is Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today...