A historic day...

As I look back at the events that have come to pass, I wanted to give each of you a place to share your thoughts and hopes for the next 4 or possibly 8 years. We have just seen our first minority elected President of the United States. This is a day filled with pride for some, anguish for some, and some who just look at it as another day.

This is a bittersweet day for me...I am proud that our country can see beyond the boundaries of race when choosing a new leader. I may not particularly agree with the decision, but I know the One who is in control. May we be reminded of that daily!

During our January Bible Study of Exodus last night, we were brought to a great scripture that touches this well. It is in Exodus 9:16..."And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

As Bro. Elmer Whitehead shared last night, we shouldn't concern ourselves with the "why's" but rather remember that God causes things to happen in the world "that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

For that reason, I have chosen this verse for the memorization challenge of the week. When we struggle with issues and challenges in our lives, let's rely upon the Lord, Whose name shall be declared throughout all the earth!!!

Take a few moments to read over the verse again...pray that what you're going through will be used for His glory...and ask for the chance to share your trials, tribulations, and triumphs with others for the glory of the Lord!!!

Please take a couple minutes to leave your thoughts on the days events and, as always, please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Exalted in due time...

Today, the verse about the devil walking about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour has been on my mind. We have been walking through neighborhoods, passing out flyers for our upcoming Block Party. I kept thinking about how the devil is seeking to trip us up and keep us from sowing seeds of kindness, that we may reap no harvest. I want to take a look at the passage that contains the verse afore mentioned: 1 Peter 5:6-10..."Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

We start off being reminded to keep things in perspective...humble yourselves under the hand of God and HE will exalt you in due time...not when we deem it, but rather in His perfect time!!! Also, be mindful, that may not occur here as in earthly treasure...would you rather receive crowns above, that you can place at His feet, giving Him glory...which is definitely against our human nature to even think that!

Continuing on, we are to cast all our cares upon Him, because He cares for us. This is one of those hard-to-grasp statements...He cares for me...kinda like He calls me friend...how is that possible??? The Maker of heaven and earth wants to hear from me and likes my story...Say that last sentence out loud...made you smile, didn't it? Well, it's true!!!

Verse 8 reminds us to be careful and don't lose sight of our adversary, the devil. He is always looking for a way to make us fall...slow us down...ruin our testimony...get any victory in our life that he can. That is another reason why our time in prayer and the Word (daily) is such a must!!! Any opening we allow, he is ready to jump on...

Verse 9 continues to tell us to resist the temptations of the devil and be stedfast in your faith...knowing that the same tests occur to our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is another place to point back to verse 7...cast all your cares upon him (the Lord)

Then in the final verse of our passage today, notice that through our suffering (for a while), God will strengthen, settle, establish, and in the end perfect us...Be of good cheer, the trials only last for a short season...If you're going through a trial and the night seems as dark as it can possibly be, remember...the darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.

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

He calls me friend...

One of my favorite songs is "Friend of God" and it just amazes me that the God I serve would call me a friend. In the last part of James 2:23, speaking of Abraham, it states..."and he was called the Friend of God."

Looking before and after in the chapter, it is speaking about faith accompanied by works. This is talking about when he took Isaac up Mount Moriah in Genesis 22. That will always be a favorite passage of mine. Abraham not only had faith in his Lord, but he put his faith into action.

In verse 24 of James 2, it states..."Ye see then how that by works man is justified, and not by faith only." This is most definitely a call to work. Not sit and let someone else do the work. We have all been called to go out a preach the word to others. Not all of us are called to lead a Sunday School class, direct the choir, sing specials, speak to large congregations, but we are all called to tell others. That is where our works match up with our faith.

The final verse of James 2 reads..."For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." So, don't sit idly by and wait for someone else to carry the Word for you. Look around, who are you neglecting to share with??? If they see your faith put into action, they will want some of what you've got...Don't hide it under a bush, let it shine!!! You're a friend of God and others are looking for a true friend...

Do you thirst???

This morning, my reading came from Psalm 63, which was written by David while in the wilderness of Judah.

Psalm 63...(1)"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (2) To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. (3) Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."

This passage has so many key elements to our lives being on track. First, we seek the Lord early. I know this is challenging in our daily schedules, but it sets our mind on things above and opens our hearts to what God has for us today. Start the day with the Lord and He will guide your steps the rest of the day.

Second, what do we thirst for? We should literally thirst to be filled by the Spirit each day. And, I do believe spiritually we are in a dry and thirsty land, where the water (of the spiriual nature) is hard to find. We should be looking for the power and glory of God to be evident in our lives, just as was seen in the sanctuaries. God still works, we just limit Him from working the way He wishes to.

And third, if we believe that God's love and kindness is as important to our lives (as we say in our church gatherings and christian surroundings), then we should praise Him in everything we do.

A final note that I would like to point out about the passage is in verse 7..."therefore n the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." Amen. With His protection around us, nothing can beset us. May you feel the coolness of the shadows under His sheltering wings!!!