 Grace and mercy to you on this beautiful Spring Day. My hope is for you and yours to be looking up for “our redemption is drawing nigh—for our salvation is nearer than when we first believed”.
Have you ever thought about the season of the year when our LORD may come? I think any day would be great, but a beautiful Spring Morning would be a special time as all the birds are feeding and singing, and all the trees are blossoming, and the flowers are blooming, What a Day That would be. As John said in the Revelation, “EVEN SO LORD JESUS COME.” May I reminisce with you for a moment? How are we doing as a church may I ask? Some would say according to attendance, we are doing well. Another would say, as to Stewardship we wish everyone would let go for there would be no limit as to what God would do through us. May I tell you neither of these are the best assessment. Meditating on Scripture this day the LORD reminded me of the great word for HIS people in the Old Testament. God said, 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Wow, may I ask now how are we measuring up? According to HIM, we need to see: THE CONGREGATION---“my people”
THE CONSTERNATION--
THE CONDITION----------“devoured land…pestilence…
THE CONTRITION--------“shall humble themselves”
THE CONFESSION--------“turn from their wicked ways”
THE CONFIRMATION---“then will I hear form heaven, will forgive their sin, heal their land”
According to this, a great place to get is on our face? Will you join me? AN EVERYDAY SURVIVAL KIT Toothpick, Rubber band, Band aid, Pencil, Eraser, Chewing gum, Mint, Candy Kisses, Tea Bag
Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others.
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. Rubber band - to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Band Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's.Colossians 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Pencil - To remind you to list your blessings everyday.Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay...
Genesis 50:15-21 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Chewing gum - to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything..
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Mint - to remind you that you are worth a mint to your heavenly father ...
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Candy Kisses - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday ...
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Herb Tea Bag - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings...
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. The Way To A Meaningful Life- Admit the need.
Fall have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 - Believe the costs.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 - See His provision.
But god commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ ided for us. Romans 5:8 - Confess your faith.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in
thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth uto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His worksmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk
in them. Ephesians 2:9-10 |
