God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. —II Samuel 22:21

But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. —Luke 22:26

Who do I need more than the Lord God Almighty? He is the One Who protects me. He is the One that is the greatest example of being a servant. I can trust Him fully and I should emulate His example. He always keeps His promises and is the greatest Servant (Isaiah 53) May I radiate Him today and each day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIpnW3rtRQ4

Dear Father, I am so grateful to know the Lord Jesus and grow in my understanding of Who He is and what He has done for, is doing for me and will do for me. Oh, may my heart be filled with joy because of Him and may I relay this information on to others that they may know Him as well and that they too would make Him know to others. So be it.

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. —Luke 21:33

God’s Word will endure forever while man’s word is temporary. God’s Word can have positive eternal impact on a person’s life while man’s word will fade from eternity.

His Word is truth (John 17:17), brings faith (Romans 10:17), brings new birth (I Peter 1:23), brings maturity (I Peter 2:2), brings freedom (John 8:31-32), brings hope and encouragement (Romans 15:4), enlightens our way (Psalm 119:105), is a sword (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12), is like a hammer (Jeremiah 23:29), will not return empty (Isaiah 55:11), is like a fire (Jeremiah 23:29), brings eternal life (John 5:24) and is near you (Romans 10:8). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HVyF8Xz6S0

So whose word will you trust?

Dear Father, thank You for giving us Your Word. May I be faithful and obedient to Your Word in the power of the Holy Spirit and by the authority of Jesus.

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” —Luke 21:1-4

Are these verses above illustrative of their relationship with the Lord God Almighty? The widow gave all she had while the rich gave a tiny part of their surplus. Who had more faith, more trust? Why did the rich not give more? How much did the rich give in their relationship with the Lord God Almighty— a tiny part of their wealth, but did they also give a tiny bit of their time and talents to Him as well?

As someone has said, “Show me your checkbook and I will tell you what is important to you.” We could also say, “Show me your calendar and I can tell you what is important to you.” Or, “Show me a map of where you have been this past week or month and I can tell you what is important to you.” Then we have to ask ourselves, “Are the things that are important to me those things that are important to the Lord?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARJjMrVjxLU&index=74&list=PLcHqC9YNzSaD-O-rkP9o8hDA9jJ_oja4l

How much of my time, talents and treasure will I drop in the “collection box” today or this week? (Matthew 22:37-40)

Dear Father, may I give You what You desire and not just a part… May I be a faithful, obedient servant of Yours. Oh, may this be done in Jesus’ authority and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son? —Luke 20:44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmY3jSugNBU “God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:2-4). Even the Jews knew what declaring when they said, “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). This was not the first time they wanted to kill Jesus— “For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

The answer to Jesus’ question is that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:1-3). He is “Immanuel (which means God with us)” (Matthew 1:23) and “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known” (John 1:18). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6onryQfuCQ

This is one factor that led to Jesus’ execution— “Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death” (Mark 14:61-64). Also in Luke 22:67-71 “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” Yes, the Jews knew Who He was claiming to be and to them it was blasphemy and worthy of death.

This is He who loves, cares for me… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LLyunki43M

Dear Father, I am overwhelmed by Your love for me, expressed through the death and resurrection of Jesus and by all You do on a day by day, moment by moment basis. May I be sensitive to the vast multitudes of ways You are working on this planet and in my own life. Oh, that I would be grateful and live to honor You in the authority of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him. —II Samuel 14:14

This is just a matter of fact that nobody can deny. Then what? “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). Our life is like a vapor (James 4:14), like a shadow (Psalm 144:4), like grass or wildflowers (Psalm103:15) or like a withering plant (Psalm 102:11). Yes, life on this planet is short. Races all come to an end (II Timothy 4:7). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiRhcR4Vg10&list=PLKYBweMzuOpveUCvoIXoTgQdFbE-luu7N&index=148

Many ask when life started or how did it start? I ask, ”Where did death come from and why do we die?” The answer is in Genesis 2:16-17 and Genesis chapter 3 shows the results right through today (Romans 5:12). Yet there is good news (Romans 6:23). When we understand who Jesus is, wow! Where will you spend eternity? That is a long, long time… unending… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw

Dear Father, I thank You for Jesus conquering death and by faith in Him I will overcome death as well. Death… the last enemy. I am grateful that I have authority over it through the Lord Jesus and that I will be with Him one day. Death is just the end here and the beginning of forever in that glorious Heaven with Jesus and all who love Him! Yes!

Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? —II Samuel 7:18

When we really begin to understand who the Lord Jesus is and who we are, well, we begin to understand how awesome He is, how merciful and gracious He is with us! The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, as immense and powerful as He is, could have just erased this rebellious puny planet and yet He loves us so much that He provided a way to be in relationship with Him. This is a astounding.

Oh, to live and see the sun rise and set is wonderful. To see the breeze gently moving the tops of trees, whisking over the surface of a lake or brushing against one’s face brings joy. He has created so much for us to enjoy.

I look at my life, the life He gave me and I am grateful for how far He has brought me. I am grateful for the wonderful wife He has given me, for my four beautiful children— adults now— and three wonderful grand-daughters. To be part of His church— every person who has truly trusted Jesus— has been such an honor. It has been such a privilege to meet so many people around this world that are part of His church as well as being part of a local church of those who love Him.

Yes, I can repeat with King David— “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” Thank You Lord! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYpBgJHmGmw

Dear Father, may I have a grateful heart as I look at Who You are and how You have worked in and through my life. It is truly amazing as I consider the works of Your hands and how I fit in. May I honor You with the life You have given me in the authority of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” —Luke 18:22-27

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). This man in the context above had the opportunity to follow Jesus, but his heart was with his treasure instead. He did not want to give up his god, riches, to follow the Lord God Almighty. How sad!

The rich ruler in the verses above, the rich man of Luke chapter 16:19-31, the rich fool in the parable in Luke 12:16-21and Judas Iscariot all had one thing in common— they loved money more than the Lord.

Where your treasure today? That is where your heart is as well! May your treasure be the Lord God Almighty above all else! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFQMM-XfYvk

Dear Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy shown to me through Jesus my Lord and by giving me Your Holy Spirit. I look so forward to being in Heaven with Jesus and all who love Him! May I constantly remind myself that I am just a pilgrim passing through this world.

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up… when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith? —Luke 18:1,8
Faith in our lives is evidenced by talking with the Lord God Almighty. Faith is a trust relationship and if a relationship exists and is going to be strengthened then there needs to be communication. How dependent I am on God will be seen in my communication to Him. How often do I speak with Him throughout the day and not just in the “morning watch” or “quiet times” or “devotional times?”

In the above verses there is a direct connection between persistent prayer and faith. May you and I keep in constant communication with the Lord God Almighty. Don’t give up!

Dear Father, I am so grateful that You are always available to speak with and that You made this possible through Your Son and Holy Spirit. May I speak with You often as I walk through this day.

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

“It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. —Luke 17:26-30

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” —II Peter 3:3-7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBHcvJhc6Pk Jesus is coming and we can count on that! It may be in our lifetime and or not, but He will come back to this planet. There are those who have always mocked this. So let it be no surprise when they mock today.

Life will be going on as usual according to the verses above. People will have their meals as they typically do while not expecting anything out of the ordinary to be happening. They will also be marrying and believing that life will go on as it has. Buying and selling will be taking place as it has and so will farming and building. These things will be happening right up until the time when Jesus comes… THEN JUDGMENT WILL BE COMING SOON AFTER!

Oh, people can mock all they want, but “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Jesus has not come back yet because He is not willing that any should perish. He is extending grace and desires His church to get the gospel out so others will repent and follow Him. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Yes, there is an end to this present world and it is much, much closer. May we share the gospel with people. One way or another, we all will see Jesus and “It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God'” (Romans 14:11). So it is!

Dear Father, may I be faithful in living for Jesus and share the gospel of Jesus with those around me. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves! —Luke 17:1-3

Woe to those who seek to tempt others to sin against the Lord! Those pushing pornography, drugs and other vices are in deep trouble if they do not repent and trust Jesus. Those teaching others not to believe in God or to trust His Son Jesus are also in danger of spending an eternity in Hell. Yes, Jesus said, “sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!” You think He was serious? Indeed He was!

We are living in a time where our culture is becoming highly sexualized and drugged. Our government is pushing all kinds of profane bills that will definitely and negatively affect people. Truly, this is going to be the most traumatic on children who always take the brunt of adult’s poor choices. The basic fabric of culture is under severe attack and when a government is promoting anti-biblical sexual and drug activity then that nation is in trouble. Woe to those bringing those temptations to sin against God. Jesus knows! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASREBVDsLk&ebc=ANyPxKon2Uvaxww6WYb_f6sh-7kBL-pgEY-PA2MKRaVzILaEXxoxPOyYGx9SxnRh5O8tZbAhZhtT2MG04GA-cO3YsJnb74ANLQ

Dear Father, we desperately need Your intervening hand. Jesus, be pleased to help Your church be what it is to be and to be doing what You have called it to do. May it be so in the Holy Spirit’s power.