Scripture:

Jesus said,"Father forgive them, for they do not know what
they do."  (Luke 23: 24)

Reflection:

The recent shootings of four young girls in Pennsylvania has weighed upon my
heart.  I was especially struck by the reaction of the Amish Community. What
a wonderful Christian response.  These beautiful, gentle, people have
forgiven the shooter.  They have offered to help his family and have shown them
their love.  This is the same kind of forgiveness Christ showed upon the cross.
I heard it said somewhere that you can only forgive those who want to be
forgiven.  This is not true.  Jesus forgave the people who crucified him, even
though they were not seeking His forgiveness.  This is the foundation of
Christ's teachings, that of forgiveness and compassion.  Remember
revenge and bitterness will never be healing responses to the hatred and
rage of a lost world.  Please show the compassion of Christ, just as it
was over 2,000 years ago.  Learn the foundation message of Christ's
teachings, learn to forgive.

Prayer:

Oh God give me a heart sympathetic and tender; Jesus, like Thine,
Jesus, like Thine, Touched by the needs that are surging around
me, And filled with compassion divine.  THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING
GOD!

COMPASSION IS NEEDED TO HEAL THE HURTS AND HEARTS OF OTHERS.

 
Scripture:

"Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully
follow the Lord".  (I Kings 11:6)

Reflection:

If you look back at history some of the smartest people in the world did
some of the dumbest things.  They often fall short in the area of moral
discernment, often leading to tragic results.  It is really obvious that a
high IQ is not enough to keep a person from bad choices.  Solomon is
a perfect example, a King rich in treasures and wisdom made terrible choices.
After being told not to marry foreign woman, he did anyway,  and they
turned his heart to other Gods.  You know what this proves to me is that
the ability to make good decisions demands a heart devoted to God. 
Our world today is filled with smart people who make immoral decisions.
The next time you vote,  ask yourself this, Is my heart devoted to God?  If
it is make your decision and vote.  For once make the right choice, make
the moral choice.

Prayer:

Lord give me wisdom to make the right choices. Make my heart pure and
totally devoted to You.  When I make this choice may it be according to your
desire.  THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD!

This week's promise: God blesses humble people

Content to stay at the back of the line

"God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
Matthew 5:3 NLT
"

The poor in spirit

"There is probably no living man through whom God has worked more mightily than Billy Graham. Dr. Graham has reached more people with the gospel of Jesus than perhaps any person in history. Yet those who know him best don't usually talk about his accomplishments or the number of people he's led to Christ. They talk of his unbelievable humility.

Several years ago Dr. Graham was interviewed on PrimeTime Live. He was sitting somberly in a chair when the last question came his way: "What do you want people to say about you when you're gone?" His response took many by surprise. "I don't want people to say anything about me. I want them to talk about my Savior. The only thing I want to hear is Jesus saying, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'" Then he bowed his head and said softly, "But I'm not sure I'm going to hear that." It was a rare but honest look into the true nature of Billy Graham's heart. In spite of all he's done for the work of the Kingdom, he still sees himself unworthy of God's commendation.

The highest honor in heaven is reserved for those who least expect it. The first in line to receive his blessing will likely be the ones who were content to stay at the back of the line on earth. If you want to know the true strength and power of Billy Graham's life, look at his heart, not his crusade attendances. God doesn't save us because of who we are or what we've done, but because of our faith in accepting his gift of salvation.

from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin (Tyndale) p 51"

Scripture:

"It may be that the Lord will look at my affliction, and that
the Lord will repay me with good for His cursing.  (II Samuel
16:12)

Reflection:

One of the nice things about growing older, is that I have become
very aware of my God's protective love.  You know what is neat is
that I'm no longer concerned what others think or say about me, like
I was in my youth.  In my age I have become much more willing to
give myself to Jesus. I have really learned humble submission
to His will, and this is the answer for my life.  I have placed myself in God's
hands, no matter what others may say about me.  I have learned to
trust Him and to abide in His love.   Have you learned to trust in Jesus,
I hope so, it makes all the difference in the world.

Prayer:

Lord thank you that each day I grow in your love and care.  Thank you for
being there, to help me bear my burdens. I trust in you Jesus, and it does
make all the difference in the world.  THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD!
 

 
Scripture:

"The Son can do nothing of Himself.:

Reflection:

The Son can do nothing of Himself.  You got to be kidding me, is this
really talking about Jesus, I don't think so.  Boy this verse has always puzzled me.  I can't really believe that Jesus can't do anything for Himself.  I mean that implies that Jesus is imperfect.  Well I took another look at the verse and with the Spirit's help I think I understand what it's saying here.  Jesus was not only fully God He was fully human also.  This tells me that as a man Jesus power flowed not from His divine nature but from His utter dependence on God.  The verse states of Himself not for Himself. Since part of His nature is God, He thus is dependent upon God for His power.  Jesus was always dependent on His Father, just like we are. Learn to have utter dependence on the Father, just as Jesus did. Leave it up to God to make you useful in whatever way He sees fit.

Prayer:

O Jesus I pray that my life may be useful as I serve you faithfully. May the world see Christ in me. Let me recognize that the measure of my usefulness is the measure of my faithfulness. THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
Scripture: 
 
"The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way." 
(Exodus 13:21) 
 
Reflection: 
 
Have you ever watched the movie "The Ten Commandments"? Even 
better have you ever read the Biblical account of the Exodus. One of the most 
graphic images is the children of Israel being led through the barren wilderness 
by a cloud. With this cloud before them these children of God never loose their 
way. God has given us all a cloud in our lives, this cloud is the Holy Spirit. As 
the cloud of Moses, the Holy Spirit is a gift from God to His trusting children. 
It is there to guide us through life. As the cloud remained with the Israelites  
in the wilderness, so the Holy Spirit remains with us forever. Think of it! With 
the power of the Holy Spirit God Himself dwells within our hearts. When we are 
led by the Spirit, our lives will be characterized by love, joy, peace, and self- 
control (Galatians 5:16,22-23). We will be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ 
as we travel through the wilderness of this world. 
 
Prayer 
 
Jesus thank you for the Holy Spirit from above with all you power. Come cover 
me with your love, knowing that your love will kindle mine. THANK YOU GOD 
FOR BEING GOD 

 
Scripture:

"While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world." (John 9:5)

Reflection:

Boy can I identify with this verse.  When I was a kid, I had a terrible
fear of the dark.  When I was in darkness I saw and heard things
that weren't there.  I had a very difficult time with all of this growing
up.  Darkness began to fill my night and days.  Darkness became an
overwhelming fear of mine and a real worry for my parents.  There was
fear around every corner.  This became such a problem there was
absolutely no light in my life.  Then I opened my heart to Jesus Christ,
Jesus gave me light.  Christ became the light of my world.  No more
fear, no more seeing or hearing things that weren't there.  Christ is there
now giving me light, showing me the way.  Christ is in your world
why don't you let Him light your way.

Prayer:

Thank you Lord, because of you I know no fear, for now I have eternal
life.  You have set me free.  THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD!

Scripture:

"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.  It is the power of
God at work, saving everyone who believes-- Jews first and also Gentiles."
(Romans 1:16) NLT

Reflection:

Well I don't know about you but I'm sure not ashamed of the Good News of
Jesus Christ.  What a Gospel, a Gospel of faith and love, there is nothing there
to be ashamed of.  What is key to me is that the Good News is the power of
God at work.  What is really great is that, that power is at work in me right now!
I really feel that power at work in my very soul, saving me from a life of sin, and
ultimately death and giving me eternal life.  That's right I'm going to live forever
because I am saved by the power of Jesus Christ.  And you can be saved too,
all you have to do is believe, and that power can be yours, right now!  Believe Christ
died on the cross for your sins, was ressurrected so you can live forever.  He could
do this because Jesus Christ was God's own Son, Christ had this power and
through the Holy Spirit He gives it to you.  Do you believe this?  It is my very
prayer that you do, because you will share with me and other brothers and sisters,
a power that is unmatched in all of the universe.  A power given to us by Jesus
Christ.  ACCEPT THAT POWER, ENJOY THAT POWER, LIVE IN THAT POWER!!!

Prayer:

Lord thank You for Your power. The power of Jesus Christ, the power of the
Holy Spirit.  I love You, accept You, come into my heart Lord Jesus, come
into my life today. THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD