Day of Praise: July 2015

Friday, July 31, 2015

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/31/15, "Day of Praise"

"[Jesus said,] Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." - John 14:1

I loved being a kid. Everyday, for the most part, was fun. I really don't remember ever planning anything. I just woke up, and then I either played or did what I was told to do. Of course, when I finished what I was told to do, then I could go back to playing.

What a wonderful life--being a kid and all.

And then one day, (I don't quite remember when), I grew up.

Every single day had a plan. I had to do this. I had to study for that. I couldn't forget that one thing. And I had to help out with the other thing.

Now life was filled with things that others told me to do. And then when I was done with their things, I didn't go back to playing. I needed to do my things.

I was a grown up.

There was one thing, though, that I didn't ever plan for, but it seemed to always find it's way into my schedule, namely, trouble. Heart trouble. No, not physical heart trouble, though in October 1999, I flat-lined twice, but that's a story for another day.

No, the heart trouble that found its way into my schedule was not physical. It was spiritual, relational-to-God heart trouble.

The reason the heart trouble would find its way into my schedule is because I would pretty much leave the Lord out of my schedule.

Unless, of course, the Lord was scheduled into my schedule.

Ya know, like "I gotta go to church." Or "I gotta go to Bible study." Or "I gotta...". You get the point.

But here's God's point in today's verse: God doesn't want to be scheduled into our life. He wants to be our life. He doesn't want to be, "If all else fails, then I'll try God." He wants to be our Plan!!! As in "Here's the way my day's gonna go; it's gonna go God's Way." That's why Jesus said (shortly after today's verse), "I am the Way!"

And if God is my plan for the day, if God is my Way through Christ, then when something tries to find it's way into my schedule that's not planned, namely, trouble, then guess what? I'm not gonna let it in. I'm not gonna let my heart be troubled because if God is leading my schedule, then trouble's gonna have to get through The Scheduler. And if The Scheduler lets something in, then he will also put boundaries on whatever he lets in because God is in charge of trouble and anything else that might come our way.

We need only to believe.

"[Jesus said,] Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." - John 14:1

Praise God!

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Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Day of Praise

Thur, 07/30/15, "Day of Praise"

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22

Whenever you face trials...
When your faith is being tested...
Whenever you need faith...
When you have to persevere...
Whenever you're being pushed to mature...
When you're lacking...
Whenever you need wisdom...
When you feel unstable...
Whenever you find yourself in humble circumstances...
When you feel humiliated...
Whenever you feel "under the heat"....
When you're under trial...
Whenever temptation comes...
When anger is welling up...
Whenever evil is lurking near...
In sum, when the next round of dIfficulty and trouble come...

I have never heard anyone cry out...
Oh, I just want to study.
And I've never heard...
Oh, I just want to think.
And I've not heard...
Oh, I just want more information.
And I don't hear anyone say...
Oh, I just want to listen.

No.

Whenever you feel "under the heat"....
When you're under trial...
Whenever temptation comes...
When anger is welling up...
Whenever evil is lurking near...
In sum, when the next round of dIfficulty and trouble comes...

I always hear people say...
In some way, shape, or form...
I want to live.

That's why, God, in today's verse, says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)

So you can.

Live, that is.

Because to live is to live God's word.

Not just study it, think about it, get more information about it, or listen to it.

To live, when it's good times or bad, is to believe God at his word and then to, the proverbial, put your money where your mouth is and live what you say you believe.

I'm not making this stuff up. Read the Bible for yourself, specifically the whole of the book of James, chapter 1.

And there you'll see, in sum, whether it's hard times or good, if you want to live and live well, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)

Dear God, please help us to do so today.

Praise God!

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Day of Praise

Wed, 07/29/15, "Day of Praise"

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." - 1 John 2:1

Whew! Now we can enjoy our day, knowing that if we mess up, then Jesus has got us covered!

Happy Day!

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." - 1 John 2:1

Praise God!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Day of Praise

Tu, 07/28/15, "Day of Praise"

Thinking about my daughter Cassidy's mouth surgery yesterday/Monday, here's a replay of one of my favorites.

"On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Mark 2:17

When I was a kid, I liked going to the doctor and the dentist. Dr. White and Dr. Montgomery apparently were great at their trades. All I knew was they were nice. They never made me feel bad when something needed healing or fixing, even if it was my fault for its condition. But the bottom line, they made sure I knew if something was out of whack, and they took care of it.

Jesus does the same thing. Tell your unbelieving friends that there's no need to run from Jesus. Jesus doesn't make us feel bad when something needs healing or fixing, even if it is our fault for its condition. He makes sure we know if something is out of whack, and he takes care of it.

In sum, there's no need to act like we've got it all together, when we don't. God (in Romans 3:10) makes it clear, "There is no one righteous, not even one." We all need a doctor, the Great Physician.

I know from experience, and I hope you do too, that Jesus can make things a whole lot better. So bring him your messes, your wounds, your mistakes, your broken hearts. The Great Doctor is here for you!

Praise God!

Monday, July 27, 2015

Day of Praise

Mon, 07/27/15, "Day of Praise"

"[The father said,] 'But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.'
'"If you can"?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'" - Mark 9:22b-24

When I was a kid, a very little kid, I was in love with Hayley Mills. Ya know, Disney, Pollyanna, Parent Trap. That Hayley Mills. (If you still don't know her, Google her.)

Anyway, never mind that she was eighteen years older than me, and I was like six years old, I thought Hayley Mills was the best.

So I asked God to do something about it. I believed that God could.

God didn't.

And I got over it.

Because God did do something. God made sure I didn't wind up with Hayley Mills.

I know this all sounds crazy.

It's supposed to.

Ya see, what God wants from us is a radical faith that God hears our every prayer. And moreso, God wants us to have a radical faith that God knows every movement of our heart.

And God wants us to have a radical faith that God wants what is best for our heart. And God wants us to have a radical faith that God will use God's almighty power to do or not to do whatever God chooses because whatever God chooses to do or not to do is best for me and my heart.

And for everybody I care about and their hearts. And for everybody God cares about and their hearts.

Which is everybody. God cares about everybody.

And it's a good thing that God cares about everybody because caring about everybody is far more than I myself can keep up with because I miss out on way too many things to be able to keep up with everybody because (yes, I'm human, but) I'm too busy in some silly daydream about Hayley Mills. Well, at least when I was six. I think it was some actress out of Doctor Zhivago (Google it) when I was seven.

But God can.

Care about everybody, that is.

He showed it, the proverbial plain as day, when he died for everybody on a cross through Jesus. And then raised Jesus from the dead so that we'd all know that God's even got all the yucky stuff (sin, death, despair, difficulty, disappointment, dumb decisions, ridiculous day dreaming about Disney actresses, and on and on and on) in his care.

And that's all I need to know.

God can.

And God does.

Care.

Praise God!

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Day of Praise

Sat, 07/25/15, "Day of Praise"

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:3

Now that my second oldest is twenty, I can say that, for decades, I've been asking my kids "Who's with you all day (night) long?" They reply, "Jesus!"

However, if I ask the same question to a group of preschoolers at our church, then they will say, "God and Jesus."

It's okay, and it's good. After all, Jesus is "Emmanuel" which means "God with us." And God is with us, (God makes himself known to us), through God's Son, Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This may all seem like a bunch of intellectual gobbledygook. But let's remember that Jesus, in John 17:3, says that eternal life is "knowing the one true God and His Son, Jesus Christ, whom He has sent."

So, may God help us to have a full and abundant life, indeed an eternal life, by continuing to help us understand and know God personally so that we can personally help others to know Him just the same.

Think about it!

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:3

Praise God!

Friday, July 24, 2015

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/24/15, "Day of Praise"

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." - Ephesians 6:10-11

A popular ad campaign asks if we've got milk. Ya know, to be strong. For the day.

A popular Bible verse (today's) asks if we have true strength. Ya know, God's strength. For the day. And for all that the world and the evil one will throw at us.

Look to the Lord. Constantly. He'll be your strength.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." - Ephesians 6:10-11

Praise God!

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Day of Praise

Thur, 07/23/15, "Day of Praise"

"'"If you can"?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" - Mark 9:23

I will never forget when I was driving on a major road with a friend when my friend told me to turn. It was the small short road to The Red Barn. (You have got to check out www.theredbarn.org but even better is to go there.) All of a sudden, I felt this spiritual power sweep over me and through me. I slammed on the brakes and backed up the car. When I stopped, I said, "This is where the anointing of this land began." My friend said, "Well, look here to the right; it's the property line."

The testimony in this is that, as God says in the Bible, land and buildings and homes can retain a spiritual power (something like a battery). So pray for God to bless your material property so that it will be blessed and not defiled. Also pray for your material property so that it will draw people to ministry and refuge that's offered in Jesus's name.

Do you believe? "'"If you can"?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" (Mark 9:23)

May your day be filled with anticipation as you look in faith for what God has in store for you and also for those that you yourself call to believe.

Praise God!

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Day of Praise

Wed, 07/22/15, "Day of Praise"

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

The story goes something like this. I have liked sweets (a whole lot) since I was a little kid. The pediatrician said it was because my mom gave me baby food fruits before she gave me baby food vegetables.

When I got past baby food the trend continued. I liked my mom's fruit salad a whole lot more than any vegetable salad she could make. I especially came to like my mom's fruit kind-of-salad called Watergate Salad, which has pineapple (fruit!), pistachio pudding (sweet!), cool whip (suuuuweeeeeeet!), and cottage cheese (so it qualifies as a salad!).

But my favorite of all that's named above would have to be my mom's Holiday Fruit Salad. It may be exactly the same in content as her Non-Holiday Fruit Salad, but it just has to be different because it just seems tastier (sweeter) and more colorful during the holidays. There's black-red stuff and yellow-red stuff and green stuff and light purple stuff and dark purple stuff and yellow stuff and white stuff and orange stuff. Aaaah, sweeeeeet fruuuuuit salad.

I trust you get the idea that I like my mom's sweet fruit salad.

But as much as I obviously like my mom's sweet fruit salad, it cannot even begin to compare to God's sweet fruit salad, which is made up of nine sweet fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Mmmmm good! Pull out the serving spoons. Let's dig in and share the heavenly feast!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

Praise God!

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Day of Praise

Tue, 07/21/15, "Day of Praise"

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

Is there anyone who knows all that Jesus has done for us who doesn't want to make him happy?

In our heart of hearts, we all want to make Jesus happy. As a way of saying thank you.

In today's verse, God tells us how to make Jesus happy, which is tantamount to "fulfilling the law of Christ."

All you have to do is do something for somebody that they can't do for themselves. Or help them to do something that is more than they can do by themselves. That's what it means in today's verse to "Carry each other's burdens."

A "load" is what someone can carry by him/herself. A "burden" is too much.

That's what Jesus does for us. He helps us where it's more than we can do by ourselves, like giving us a way out of temptation. And he does for us what we can't do for ourselves, like paying for our sins.

So make Jesus happy; carry somebody's burden today. Maybe two people's. There's easy ones like, if somebody lost their house in a fire, help 'em. And there's more creative ones like, if somebody's having trouble smiling, then help 'em out--maybe say a word of encouragement or act like a fool and dance like Elaine on Seinfeld.

And just imagine if every person just did one thing a day to help somebody else with a burden. Wow!

Now that would really make Jesus happy!

Praise God!

Monday, July 20, 2015

Day of Praise

Mon, 07/20/15, "Day of Praise"

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." - Ecclesiastes 9:10

My 16 year-old son and I have a running joke -- I scored 28 points in a basketball game once.

I really did score 28 in a basketball game once. But we laugh about it because I'm not very good at basketball. My dad used to say that I played with brute strength and awkwardness. In other words, I tried hard, but I wasn't smooth and talented.

This is what I understand God to mean in today's verse, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

God knows that we're not going to be smooth and talented at everything we do. But, for heaven's sake, if you're going to do something, at least try hard. And give it the best that you've got, believing that effort really does mean something to God.

So today, if you're at work, do your job with all your might. But also if someone needs a word of encouragement, even if you're shy, then at least try. When you're out and about, try with all your might to do things in a way that's pleasing to God with kindness and honesty and cheerfulness. If your church meets on Wednesday, as ours does, then try with all your might to get there, and then try with all your might to participate and speak up in the fellowship time and in the Bible study. And sing with all your might in worship. (Please do not do like somebody I used to know who used their might to tell the people around them not to sing so loud!)

In sum, you may not be very good at some of the things you have to do, but give God a chance to work through you. And "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Who knows? Maybe, as with my 28-point basketball game, you'll have one of the greatest times of your life. But you'll never know, unless you try.

Praise God!

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Day of Praise

Sat, 07/18/15, "Day of Praise"

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." - Proverbs 12:25

Father in heaven, for Jesus's sake, give us glad and cheerful hearts this day so that we can enjoy sweet fellowship with you and your people. And yet we also pray for those whose hearts are weighed down and who need your strong and gracious hand. Grant to us, O Lord, a depth of compassion and a heart overflowing with cheer and kindness so that we may be eager and able to speak in love and lighten the load for those people whose hearts are weighed down. All this we ask in the name of your dear Son, Jesus, whose death on the cross made a way for all our hearts to be gladdened and renewed. So please, Lord, stir our hearts to receive your Son in faith anew this day so that Jesus would be our strength, our cheer, and our guide, always leading us to you and your people in need. Amen.

May God bless you all to have and to share a day full of cheer and gladness with the Lord.

Praise God!

Friday, July 17, 2015

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/17/15, "Day of Praise"

[Jesus said,] "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." - John 9:4

When I was a kid, I didn't like to sit on the bench for any team for any sport for any game. Game time was precious, and I wanted to experience all of the game time that I could.

Jesus says that it should be the same for us as adults.

The clock is ticking on the game of life, so game time is extremely precious.

Jesus surely would've known Psalm 90, verse 12, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

We do not have an infinite number of days, so God wants us to number our days. For where we know that the clock is ticking, we want to experience and to live each possible moment, with wisdom, not foolishness, guiding the way.

And it is wise for us to recognize that we don't have infinite days, so we'd best be making the most of the ones that we're blessed by God's grace to have.

So walk with God. Worship him daily. Honor his word. Love yourself as one who is loved by God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Encourage goodness. Be courageous to speak when goodness can't be found. Give your boss an honest day's work. Look for windows to invite others to Christ. Feel the rain instead of just getting wet. And add to this list as you are compelled, but add to this list within the bounds of God's word, as one with a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

For remember, the clock is ticking. As Jesus himself clearly said, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work" (John 9:4).

Praise God!

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Day of Praise

Thu, 07/16/15, "Day of Praise"

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

It's a good thing that God is for us.

Because we are totally at the mercy of God.

In today's verse, God tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6).

But where does faith come from? God tells us in Ephesians 2:8-10 that faith is a gift from God!

And why do we need this faith that God gives us?

We need this faith:
1) To believe that God even actually exists so we can believe that someone is actually there when we pray,
2) To believe that God, who exists, actually cares about what we're praying,
3) To believe that God, who cares, can actually do something for the people and about the situations in our prayers,
4) To believe that God, who can do something, may choose to actually do something that doesn't align with our timing or our will or our plans,
5) To believe that God, who may choose to do something that doesn't align with our wishes, is true to the promise of his word to actually work through all things together for good (AND THAT MEANS ALL THINGS!!!), and
6) To believe that God has confirmed all the above through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ whose shed blood made us clean from sin and whose resurrection made the Way for God to live in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Without faith (that God works in us through the Holy Spirit), there is no forgiveness or divine indwelling, so there's no confidence in God's promises, so there's conflict between our plans and God's, so there's no confidence that God will act, so there's no sense that God cares, so there's little reason to believe that anybody's even listening because who knows if he even exists?

And I don't know about you, but if all the above is missing from my life, I sure don't want to ask God to bless my enemies which is the only way to be free of all bitterness and resentment which eats up my insides far more than it hurts my enemies.

And if all the above is missing from my life, I sure don't want to live generously and see the reality that even Canadian secular studies have shown where generous people have a chemical reaction in their body that actually makes them happier and calmer and more fun to be around. (Do ya think that's what God knew long before the rest of us when in 2 Corinthians 9:7 God says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver"?)

I'll admit. It's a strange life that we believers live. It truly requires faith. But once you've tasted it, is there anyone who really doesn't want more?

And that's exactly what God wants to give us.

More!

Aaaaah, so that's what God means by "he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

Praise God!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Day of Praise

Wed, 07/15/15, "Day of Praise"

"Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, 'You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.'" - John 11:49-50

Caiaphas has no idea.

He thinks that by getting rid of Jesus that he's getting rid of a political enemy.

Caiaphas is in his own little world and, therefore, has no idea of the spiritual truth that one man must die for sin so that all people could be saved through faith in the one who dies.

Caiaphas had no idea of the great sacrifice that was made for him.

Usually, I don't either. You know what I mean; I don't have any idea of the great sacrifice that was made for me. Oh sure, from time to time, usually in Lent, I'll stop and think about it, especially on days like Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. But there are so many days that I just blow through without considering how much Jesus has done for me so that I can even have that day.

By God's grace, I woke up and have this day. What that means is that God's given me another chance to consciously live thankfully. To think about and be thankful for the one who died so all the rest of us didn't have to die "permanently." There are even chances for me to worship him today, to worship Jesus, to adore him, to remember him thankfully. Here, where I live, I have at least two (2) chances to worship on this Wednesday, one at 11:45 a.m. and one at 6:30 p.m.

Maybe where you live, you have a chance to worship Jesus also. No matter, we all can stop today and think deeply, and gratefully, for what it means that one man, Jesus, died, so that the rest of us don't have to die, permanently. But instead we can believe that he took our place in death. And overcame it. So that we could join him in life. True Life. Abundant Life.

We want to know what he did for us. So we can Live Abundantly today and forever with him. Knowing and believing start by doing what Caiaphas didn't do long, long ago. Knowing and believing in and being thankful for and enjoying that one man died so the rest of us wouldn't perish, it all starts by surrendering to the Holy Spirit, who touches our hearts gently, but clearly, and whispers, "Stop! And think about the gift that is your life. Today. Think about the price that was paid so that you can have the gift."

God help me to do so.

May God, in grace, help us all. Again.

Praise God!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Day of Praise

Tue, 07/14/15, "Day of Praise"

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18

When I was a teenager, I slept in a basement room with no windows. Cool.

When I was a little kid, if I'd had a basement room with no windows, that would not have been cool. I was a scaredy-cat.

I thought everything that was down low and dark had a monster or a big bad wolf living in it.

Apparently, that kind of thinking is not too far off. After all, Jesus went into a place that was down low and dark and had the worst monster ever living in it.

And Jesus went down into that low and dark place for me. And for you. And for all people. (Although tragically, not everyone believes in that place nor believes that Jesus went down there and took care of that big bully monster for us.)

Actually, the big bully monster has a legitimate claim, just as the White Witch does in the Chronicles of Narnia. When we sin, when we rebel against the way that God made things to work, then we have to appear before The Accuser, The Big Bully, and we have to pay the penalty. And you get what you deserve.

Hmmmm. What's that sound like to you? You must 1) appear before an Accuser, 2) pay a penalty, and 3) get what you deserve.

Sounds like hell to me. A living hell.

But through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, we celebrate that Jesus 1) took our place, 2) paid our penalty, and 3) taught us about mercy (not getting what you deserve) and grace (getting what you don't deserve).

All this Jesus did when he went into a place that was down low and dark and had the worst monster ever living in it.

And he did it all for you!

And for me!

And for us all as God's dearly beloved children, who, if we have any sense about us, might still not want to go to the place that is down low and dark and has the worst monster ever living in it.

But as we hear in 1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

So thanks be to God for the truth of today's verse, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18

Praise God!!!

Monday, July 13, 2015

Day of Praise

Mon, 07/13/15, "Day of Praise"

"Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:11-12

I laugh now.

But when I was a kid, it drove me nuts when my classmates called me Chris DeBlue or DeRed or, the worst, DePurple. My name was, is, and always will be Chris DeGREEN!!!

And therein lies the point: it didn't matter what teasing classmates called me then or anybody calls me now.

I am who I am. My name is Chris DeGreen. No matter what anyone else calls me or says.

You are who you are.

And Jesus is who he is.

He is Jesus. His name literally means "The One who Saves."

And that is who he is. Jesus is "The One who Saves."

And there is no other.

No matter what anybody else says or mocks or doesn't believe. Jesus is "The One who Saves."

That's why God's word says plainly, "Jesus...there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:11-12).

Put your faith in Jesus, all your faith, for everything on your heart, for everything you need, for everybody on your heart, for everything they need, for all the things and people in front of you today. Put your faith and prayers in Jesus. He will not fail you or them. For he is the one, the ONLY One, who saves.

Trust him, call on him, look for him. All day. Everyday. And you'll see!

Praise God!

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Day of Praise

Sat, 07/11/15, "Day of Praise"

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." - Proverbs 16:3

I commit to the Lord that any explanation of today's Bible verse is going to be kept very simple.

Hooray! Success!

Next item?!?!

Praise God!

Friday, July 10, 2015

Day of Praise

Fri, 07/10/15, "Day of Praise"

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

It's a simple yet profound word from God.

First, we praise God because God comforts us in all our troubles.

Second, we praise God because we're able to comfort others with the comfort that God gave us in our troubles.

I know that some might say, "Well, why doesn't God just keep all the troubles away to begin with?"

Well, think about it. When's the last time you reached out to serve someone for whom everything was going well? Really? Ya need a minute to think? Oh, rarely? Maybe never?

Let's face it. God is quite wise in permitting troubling things to come our way that remind us of our need for God and our need for one another.

As a long-time friend said to my family yesterday, "Wow--lots going on with your family! Calling on God through prayer is crucial and asking friends for help is justified. Let us know if you need help with anything!"

Indeed. Let's praise God for God-With-Us (Jesus) and God's gift of friends to whom we reach out in comforting love.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise God!