Beautiful Life -- Inspiration 19

Life is Beautiful

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

Genesis 1:31 KJV

"LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL," says my friend, and he means it. He is uplifted by the gloriousness of life. God made us for this life. He created the earth for His creations: animal-kind, bird-kind, plant-kind, and human-kind. In the perfect world of Adam and Eve's garden setting, peace and rightness reigned. Sorrow and suffering had not entered the world. So, in a sense, it was an unspoiled world, and a beautiful place to be. Though the earth is no longer perfect, it still retains beauty and creates beauty. The world sings and rejoices as nature provides its nurture. God has given us plants and animals that cause us to celebrate its many gifts. Sunrises display His wonderful wake-up call to start the day. We are welcomed with His greeting like with a paintbrush sweeping the sky. Sunsets remind of us His presence from the day just spent. His goodbye adieu is a deeper hue painted with broad strokes and pink-orange coloration. Each day is a gift from God, our heavenly Father. He makes the day for all people, for the just and unjust alike. What a treasure for us to enjoy. Thank you, heavenly Father.

Father in Heaven, what a beautiful miracle is this life. We are blessed to enjoy its sights and sounds. So grateful are we to participate in this home on earth. Thank you for making us and giving us this glorious treasure to explore and appreciate. Amen

 

To God be the Glory

For your musical pleasure, All Creatures of Our God and King

Jesus' Name -- Inspiration 18

Sweet Jesus

"What about you?" he asked them. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah."  --Luke 8:29

"SWEET JESUS, SWEET JESUS, He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star," flow the lyrics in circles of joy. "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim," joyful words of praise in worship of His holy name. Attributes to Jesus burst forth in musical score: Beautiful Savior, Glorious Lord, Immanuel, God is with Us; Gentle Shepherd; King of kings and Lord of lords. In Jesus' day people would say of Him: Son of man, Good Teacher, Master, Lord, Jesus. Because of His death and resurrection we say: Savior, Christ, Redeemer, God the Son. The Old Testament prophets foretold Jesus' future appearance as a Messiah. The beautiful words of Isaiah spoken at Christmastime and sung in Handel's Messiah give praise and honor, "Unto us a Son is given. . . and His name shall be call-ed, Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Many are the musical phrases that celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: "God with Us, Blessed Redeemer, Living Word; Man of Sorrows acquainted with Grief." Each name represents a unique aspect of Jesus' divinity, too many to name in this short writing. Light of the world, Bread of Life, Living Water, to name a few more. Jesus' name fills the worshiper with awe, praise, thankfulness, and love, that which is holy, devout, full of grace, goodness, and greatness. "Majesty, worship His majesty."

Dear Jesus, You are the Savior of the World. You are the Lover of our souls. You redeemed a lost people. You changed our identity from a lost sinner to a child of God. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.

To God be the Glory

For your listening pleasure: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Give Praise to God -- Inspiration 17

Speak Praise to God on High

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. 

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 100:4  NKJV

SPEAK PRAISE and thanksgiving for our Lord has done a marvelous thing. God is deserving of praise for His majesty is over all the earth, heavens, and sea. Glorious is His Being and mighty are His ways. He is to be praised for creating, restoring and loving. He helps the downtrodden, lifts the discouraged, loves the unlovely. God is an amazing God. God made us. God keeps us. God loves us. We give praise to Him. Thank Him. Honor Him. Worship Him. His glory fills the sky. Sing praises. Lift your hands in praise. Speak to the glory of God. Worship His majesty. Give Him glory. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To think, we are the sheep of His pasture, the children of His handiwork. We are blessed. Praise His holy name throughout the land. God is to be praised. 

How beautiful You are, Lord Jesus. How wonderful You are, Father God. We praise You, honor You, and worship You. We bow before You, humble, in awe of Your majesty. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Be Kind -- Inspiration 16

Be Kind to One Another

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, 
as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

BE KIND to one another, scripture says. Why do we need to be told to be kind? Maybe it is like a strong way of directing attention with softness to it. Kindness is a virtue. A virtue has a moral quality in its essence. A child is told to be kind to their sibling, a student to their peer. In this case, the Christian to another Christian. The saying of it stresses the importance of it. Be kind, tender hearted, forgiving, like Christ has forgiven you. Christ is the ultimate example. That is the best reason of them all. Unselfish, other-focused, the very act in itself, being kind, blesses the other person. To be kind effects goodness. Goodness, in turn, enriches. This benefits those in the relationship. Directed to the Christian, it is meant to impact their interactions with each other personally and in the assembly. Healthy actions are cultivated and they are the expectation. God would have us to be kind to one another to kindle right attitudes that promote regard and respect. To be kind is a practice and a purposed action. God asks this of us. Mixed with tenderhearted forgiveness, it's a winning combination to promote harmony,  unity, and peace.

Father God, sometimes I fail. Help me to be like Christ. May I be kind in word and deed. Help me to rein it in when self-centerdness gets the upper hand.  Take charge of my mouth. Rewire my way of thinking into being a little tool in Your hand by being kind to those I meet on my everyday path.

 

To God be the Glory

Defending Faith -- Inspiration 15

Do I Make Myself Clear?

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone 

who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

TWITTER, FACEBOOK and a vast network of social media outlets provide places for people to share, talk about, explain, give argument, or vent their personal opinions, feelings, and beliefs. Political, social, and religious views can be cause for some to spew sharp criticisms and to levy ugly attacks when in disagreement with others' views. The tit for tat becomes unpleasant when opposite opinions are discounted and rebuked as absurd, using harsh, condemning, and foul language. Hateful. Parameters would help. Free expression needs civility and respectful exchange. Should the spiritual person defend their faith? Scripture defends itself quite adequately. It states truth explicitly, forthrightly, without any unjust attack. Christians are to answer the reason for the hope that is within them. Christ Himself acknowledged who He was as in stated factual information. He let His words and actions speak for themselves. His parables, expressions, and miracles were offered to make people think, to help them see the big picture, to answer spiritual questions, to point them to God, and to draw their attention to truth. Christ was direct. His words penetrated beneath layers of confusion and wrong-minded thinking. Today, the expressions of faith on social media should be likewise: truth-filled, gospel-filled, love-filled, words of life. Defend the faith on social media, if you will. But do it God's way. When you do, be prepared to take some heat. Represent Christ in the way He represented Himself, with truth, love, and honest care and compassion for all who would listen.

Father God, how we need You in times like these. Help us to portray You as You would want us to. May our words speak life to those who need You. Amen

To God be the Glory

Who, God? -- Inspiration 14

Is God Real?

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

IS GOD REAL? Lots has been written about the subject of God. This subject is of major importance and is the cause of debate and dissonance in society. It seems people are not in agreement and can be quite oppositional when talking about it. Defend a position: God exists. God doesn't exist. Theism exists with a real but remote Deity. Or there's a broad belief in God that is believed, which speaks of theology, attributes, doctrine, will, redemption, righteous living and all things spiritual. Another belief is that of Intelligent Design as a way Godward aspects are proved. Those who believe in salvation as it is derived from biblical text, set forth to explain who God is and then His relationship to the created world and to humankind in particular. No matter anyone's opinion in the long run. The truth is that God either is or isn't. But it is of consequence. One's belief about God's existence and humans' relationship to Him is exceedingly important. For if God is real then to reject Him has lasting implications. According to the scriptures there is an afterlife and this life is not all there is, and it also gives purpose, meaning, and morality to earthly existence. Divine intervention on the humans behalf is a tremendously important conceptual reality for those who know its truth through the eyes of faith. Do you want to find out if God is real? Are you up for a challenge? You can do this. Begin to seek God in earnest. Ask Him to become real to you. God will reveal who He is. God says that those who seek will find. Keep a Bible handy.

Dear Father in Heaven, Your ways are divine and include Your created world. This is a great blessedness. Reveal Yourself to those who seek you. Thank you. Amen

To God be the Glory

Mysterious Prayer -- Inspiration 13

Prayer is the Life-Blood

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

And he said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Give us day by day our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Luke 11:1-4  KJV 2000

PRAYER EXPRESSES the thoughts and intents of the heart to God. Prayers define themselves in many distinct ways from simple to complex, from rote, memorized text to pleas for redemptive pardon, to words of thanksgiving and praise. Some deep prayers are wordless from the severely wounded soul or from the effervescent joy-filled soul. Communing through prayer and meditation is another form where the individual encounters God in a manner awash with understanding centered in divine Presence. Genuine prayer said from the heart, mind, and soul is honest communication with God. Confession, praise, adoration, gratefulness, love, truthfulness, requests for guidance and help, which asks for God's intervention are petitions to the Source, God Almighty. Christians are called upon to pray. Jesus showed His followers how to pray. Present day followers are encouraged to follow His example.

Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of calling on Your holy name as we offer our petitions to You. You are a great God, worthy to be praised. And we thank You, worship You, and love You. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Trust Me -- Inspiration 12

Trust in the Lord

5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will bring it to pass.

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust Me" says God to the person who asks for help. It is an act of the will to trust God for the way and the outcome. The ability to trust God is then developed over the course of time. It is far easier to trust self than a deity. The life of faith, however, builds on trust in God. Trust in God is trusting in a firm foundation. This kind of trust is never misplaced. God can be trusted to do what is best and what is right. He is the anchor in the storm. His anchor holds firm despite whatever ill besets us. During bleak situations, God whispers to us, "Trust Me." The person who trusts will trust because they trust Him to do what is best and to carry them through with His strength. It is most unwise to ignore God's offer of help. Wise indeed is the one who says, "Yes, Lord, in Thee I will trust." The ability to trust grows stronger with practice. Shallow trust compared to deep trust is like sand compared to rock, one is sturdy and the other not so much. When God is trusted then the outcome rests with Him. Those who follow, trust, and obey God, derive great comfort and strength throughout the ups and downs of life.

Dearest Father, You are all-knowing. We trust you to take care of us and to sustain us. How gracious and strong You are, and mighty to save. Amen

To God be the Glory

Heart Belief -- Inspiration 11

Belief Takes Many Shapes

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10. NIV

YOU believe a chair will support your weight when you sit in it. You believe this because it is a known fact. The chair is sturdy and in good repair. It gets the job done. In that case, belief is based on what is known, tested, tried. Besides the known facts, much of belief is based on what a person has been taught, their familial beliefs, cultural beliefs, national beliefs and even spiritual beliefs. Many beliefs go through changes as more is discovered about the 'why' in life. In the spiritual, God draws the individual to Himself.  His Word draws them. His teachings illumine them. His Spirit strives with them. God persists but doesn't force. Belief based in the knowledge of God and His ways may contribute to their understanding of spiritual truth. But a leap of faith is taken as the person knows in their heart that this is true, that God is real, that God is interested in their soul and being. Genuine heart belief is a 'knowing,' through and through. Like C.S. Lewis said, he knew it was true (not fanciful imaginations). The first step is to by faith believe there is a God. Second is to believe God loves in a personal way. Third, is to by faith believe and trust God. Heart belief is genuine.  

Dear Father God, I believe in You. You are real. We sense Your divine presence here with us. How pleased we are that You are with us throughout every day. Praises! Amen

To God be the Glory

Grace Giver -- Inspiration 10

Grace Gives Grace

Image from the recent Northern California Camp Fire 

-Beauty from Ashes-

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:19

O LOVING GRACE, beautiful grace, bountiful grace. What would the world do without grace? When grace is given it is received but not necessarily deserved. A prodigal son receives grace when he is welcomed home. Sinners are given grace when their sins are forgiven them. A recipient of an act of grace, do welcome it. Grace plays out in a myriad of ways. They could have gotten in trouble but they didn't, they've been given a second chance after a mess-up,  they are forgiven a wrong, or when they are loved just because. That's grace giving from out of its nature, extending grace because that is what grace does. Helping someone who is hard to help, like a person suffering with Alzheimer's Disease, is on the grace side of giving. God's grace is even greater. His grace chooses to redeem rather than punish, to set free rather than encage, to give to rather than to break down. Grace is greater than all our sin. We repent. God forgives. Grace pardons the offense. Grace covers with His feathers. Frequently grace carries an individual through a difficulty. They are given grace when they could have lost their job, a friendship, a relationship, or their reputation. Grace says they are worth it. They were worth a Son to Him. That's a hard understanding. Ultimate grace becomes human reality from its Giver of the divine Gift. Grace grows and blesses as God's grace multiplies in the interior self.

Dear Father in Heaven, spiritual life has many benefits and grace is one of them. You give grace to the humble, You give grace to us, You show us the ways of grace. Thank you for Your grace that welcomes us as part of Your family. Amen

To God be the Glory

Evoking Compassion -- Inspiration 9

Compassion Stems From The Heart

Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
"Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Matthew 20:32-34. NIV

COMPASSION initiates in the heart. Acts of kindness toward those in need stems from a loving outlook. Christ's compassion for the needy, unwell, hungry, distraught, unclean, beggar, and persons without hope is well documented. His heart was big, He ministered to physical needs as well as spiritual needs. The person in need of Jesus' touch were asked to respond to Him. Their response was a step toward their healing. Today is no exception. Christ begins to reveal who He is to someone in need of His loving touch. He asks them to believe. A response is requested of them. People are given choices. Will they act or won't they? Will they believe or will they make excuses? Some will, some won't. That's free will. Not much has changed since Jesus' day. To choose Jesus as the way, truth, and life, is to receive the wondrously marvelous gloriousness of spiritual life. Spiritual life softens a person's heart as compassion flows out of their being. The more they know God--learn of Him and seek His face--the more they will care about people, animals, and the earth. For God has made all.  A life lived in God's presence loves Him and what He has made. Real Christianity is not cruel. Christ's love initiates love in His true followers. This is blessedness.

Gracious Father, May we love You more deeply, follow You more truly, and embrace You more dearly. May You flow through our lives to others with eyes that see the wounded, weary, and distraught. Make us more compassionate, helpful, and caring. May we be like Thee. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Spiritual Life--Inspiration 8

Spiritual Life Speaks Life to the Soul

 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and Thou shalt be saved. --Acts 16:31 KJV

 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. --Romans 10:10 NIV

SPIRITUAL LIFE is a gift. God offers spiritual life to anyone who by faith believes in Christ's offer of salvation. However, this faith is sincere in its belief. Christians are Christ Followers. They have trusted in Christ, received forgiveness for their sins, and have eternal life. Spiritual life has lasting value according to John 3:16, which says "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." That which is eternal is in them. It is amazing how this comes to pass. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the three persons of God. Each has their own function and all three are active. In the rebirth of a soul, as the soul comes spiritually alive, it goes from spiritually dead to spiritually alive. As children of God, these baby Christians have a new identity. They are now in Christ. We could say their identity is changed from lost sinners to that of kingdom saints. Life in Christ is of the heart, mind, and soul as the spirit awakens to the truth found in the salvation of their soul. True belief is of heart, mind, and soul and is not an isolated process of intellectual apprehending of belief nor is it mumbling the right words without it involving their heart. Faith that is real believes in the unseen God and knows that without a doubt He lives. God is active in calling, redeeming, setting free, and restoring. Rich are those who are recipients of such a miraculous gift. All are welcome to enter into this blessedness.

 Dear Father God, we are astounded with Your grace. You have given us supernatural life where before we had emptiness and death. Thank you for this great gift. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Merciful Father -- Inspiration 7

Lord have Mercy on Me a Sinner

156 

Great are Your mercies, O Lord;

Revive me according to Your ordinances.

  Psalm 119:156

THE TENDER MERCIES of God don't get much press. God is merciful. God's mercy is called upon with every prayer request. His loving kindness is goodness and mercy. That humanity still exists after all it's warring factions and evil doings is a direct result of a merciful Heavenly Father. "Lord have mercy," we pray. We know He does have mercy and will continue to have mercy. Mercy is part of who He is in addition to being just and right. An erring child, mate, or colleague is prayed for by those who believe in the power of God to meet a need, to turn a life around, and to initiate the right circumstances to bring this to pass. They know this is within the will of God and it implores His abundant mercy. The sinner's prayer "Lord have mercy on me a sinner," is a humble prayer of the heart. It speaks of dependence on the merciful nature of God, and nothing else--not good works, not spiritual activities, not worth and value--just God alone. Therein is the key to all spiritual endeavors. God is the Master of the Universe, but His is a servant's heart that listens to those who entreat Him in their brokenness, with humility, and despite their dysfunction. God honors this self-denying humility in an "unworthy" person--according to human standards of conduct, but "worthy" of compassion in God's sight--according to His tender mercies. There is no pretending in this humble plea to our Father in Heaven. God hears the cry of the heart, and He answers.

Merciful Father, we are not worthy to sit at your table. We are not worthy to call on Your mercy. We do not deserve Your grace. But You are merciful. You are grace. You love with kindness. You answer according to Your mercy. Even Your reproof is for our good. Thank you. We love You. Praise Your Holy Name. Amen

To God be the Glory

Divine Love -- Inspiration 6

The Immeasurable Love of God

 Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. --Isaiah 43:19

MANY are the songs written to describe Divine love: The Love of God; Oh, The Deep Deep Love of Jesus; Jesus Loves Me; Love Lifted Me; Love Divine. God’s love is greater than can be told, deeper than can be explained, richer than is comprehensible. His love went to unlimited lengths to redeem a lost people. Father God's plan of salvation came through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son. Redemption for humankind required the sinless sacrifice of God’s one and only Son. Through this, Christ offered life to an utterly broken world of sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. Jesus Christ loved them then and He loves them now. Humans cannot outspend the love of God. God’s love enfolds the downcast, implores the one in despair, gives forth to those in need, and regenerates life within a believer's soul. They welcome God's love and hold it close to their hearts. Like them, anyone who believes in their heart by faith in the gospel of Christ receives this Divine love. Happiness then unfurls in energetic liveliness seen in gracious smiles, warm hugs, and loving kindnesses. Joy, joy, joy. God’s love is like joy on steroids. Supernatural enlivening causes souls to be quickened. A welcoming posture makes all the difference. Closed arms block. Open arms receive. Embrace all God offers and showers upon you. Therein you will find streams in the desert. Be blessed by the heavenly Father's immeasurable gift of love.

Father God, may we know the love Your love in abundant measure. May we trust Your peace and joy as enough for each day. You are immeasurable blessedness. Amen

To God be the Glory

The Truth -- Inspiration 5

Jesus Is The True Truth 

If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.  --1 Timothy 3:15

TRUTH under-girds reasoning. Over the centuries the elements that make up truth have been debated among scholars, the religious, scientists, philosophers, intellectuals, skeptics, theists, atheists, Nones, astrologers and so forth. When the truth presented is divested of critical thinking, it falls flat with little or no value. But truth is immensely important to all. The view one takes regarding truth guides values, morals, and purpose. Jesus says He is Truth. As the Truth, He is the ultimate standard for how life should be lived. Jesus was love personified. He had no use for Pharisaical pride, rules, and regulations that choked truth and prohibited it from freely flowing in love, righteousness, and redemptive holiness. Their religiosity was form without purity of motive. The heart of the Word, God's message to humankind, was woefully distorted and wrongly twisted by these religious hypocrites, so much so that it no longer resembled a genuine faith. Jesus showed a new way as He demonstrated how to live justly, righteously, and humbly. He walked His faith in the daily circumstances of living and breathing while wearing human frailty in keeping with His divine majesty. True unfailing truth is remarkable in its satiety, saltiness, and succinct supernatural spiritually-motivated wholesome life-giving reality. Conduct yourselves in light of the truth.The Truth sets people free.

Dear Father God, You have given to us the gift of Your Son as the Truth for all life. He amazes, purifies, redeems, and sets free all who trust in Him. Blessed we are. Amen

To God be the Glory

The Way --Inspiration 4

Jesus Is The Only Way

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. 
No one comes to the Father except through me." --John  14:6 NIV

YOU want to know the way out when you're lost. Remember that scary feeling? Alone and panicky. You need someone who knows the way, or you need a map or a GPS to guide you out of your predicament. It is always best to be prepared for what lies ahead, and even then it can be a little daunting. Jesus claimed to be The Way, The Truth, and The Life. To be frank, He isn't just a way, He is The Way, the only way. He is to be trusted for the journey. In spiritual life, Jesus Christ is the way to healing, forgiveness, and to God. Like how a map guides and will get you there, Jesus guides and will get you to your destination, a home in Heaven with Father God. It doesn't get any better than that. Humans make a lot of messes that make their lives difficult, but Jesus offers His life, the Way, to get from A to Z despite its every harrowing turn. He has a vested interest in humanity. Love for His children, the object of His affection, is the reason. God is love. Jesus loves you. You are loved.

Father God, we are silly creatures when we go at life on our own instead of following Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life. Help our unbelief. Amen.

To God be the Glory

He's Alive --Inspiration 3

Jesus Made It Possible to Live Again

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  --John 3:16

JESUS is the Name above all names. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Jesus is the Christ, the holy Son of God. When I was a child I was taught the New Testament stories with Jesus as its main character. I learned of His miracles as Jesus turned water into wine, healed the sick, made the dead come back to life, cast out demons, and multiplied a boy's lunch to feed five thousand people. My teachers told me about Jesus' last supper in the upper room, Jesus praying "Not My will but Thine be done" in the Garden of Gethsemane while His disciples slumbered. Then we heard about the trial with trumped up charges, Pilot washing his hands of the unjust affair, Jesus being whipped, crowned with thorns, taking up His cross, being scorned, mocked, blasphemed, and then crucified. With relief, we came to Christ's glorious resurrection, the empty tomb, Mary worshiping her risen Lord, and the men talking with Jesus as they walked to Emmaeus. It was a good story, but as a child I had not realized its significance nor its lasting impact on humanity from that time forward. Life for the soul was purchased by Jesus' obedient surrender and pure, sinless submission to His father's will, His death, burial, and resurrection that changed everything for humankind. Humanity is eternally indebted to Christ and I am forever grateful for the cross.

Father, Son, and Spirit, the Three in One God, we behold You, appreciate You, and love You. Amen.

To God be the Glory

The Light --Inspiration 2

The Light of the World is Jesus.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." --John 8:12 NIV

JESUS PROMISES His light to the world. In Him is no darkness at all. In fact, He shines His brightest when in the darkness. He exposes sin, unrighteousness, and evil. He makes wise the simple. Jesus Christ purifies those who trust in Him with their stuff. Jesus is the redemptive mystery in Whom we embrace. His love reaches around the world, to all people, countries, and nations. Jesus' grace is free and sufficient for all who believe. He cares about you, your family, your past, present, and future. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." He is the light of life.

Father in Heaven, we are honored to partake of the blessings you've given to the world. Thank you for Your dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the world and our light. Amen.

To God be the Glory

God's Grace - Inspiration 1

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it.

THIS DAY is to be lived with God in mind. Give it to God and ask for His blessing on it. Rejoice that He made you and cares for you in all of it. Whatever happens today will be touched by His grace. The hard parts especially need His care. Trust Him. Loving kindness is His way.

Thank you, Father God for being here; for loving and caring, and helping. Amen.

To God be the Glory