Hebrews 4:16

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Our Almighty Father is a righteous and just God. Therefore, when one considers just how powerfully Omnipotent, and Holy our Father is, we’d have to concur, we’re truly not worthy to be in His presence.

God abhors sin. It is an abomination in His eyes. And the way His children were sinning, we were destined and doomed to eternal separation from Him, if not for His Son, Jesus.

In His infinite love and mercy, He made a huge sacrifice so that we could be with Him for eternity, thus sending His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus, experienced hardship, temptation, and things common to all, yet—He never sinned. He chose to die a painful and brutal death, taking our place, and therefore paying the penalty for our wrongs.

We must agree that there is no other love, as Scripture states, than to give up life for a friend (John 15:13.) Jesus would have undoubtedly done the same for only “one” person, that is how much He loved/loves us.  And how much our Father showed us Grace, Mercy, and Love.

Those of us who believe and follow Him, are blessed indeed. When we trust in the LORD, and surrender to Him, we’re readily adopted, and redeemed by Christ’s blood. His indwelling Spirit will guide us, lead us, and infuse us with joy, peace and endless love.

We’re always welcomed before the Throne of Grace. We can converse with the Father at any given time.  He promises to neither forsake  nor leave us. In fact, He’s with us always, even until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20.)

He listens to us, hears and responds to our repentant hearts, and knows our very thoughts. Jesus intercedes for us, and prays on our behalf.

Do we deserve the LORD’s invitation to have an intimate relationship with Him? No, we do not. But thankfully His Grace and Mercy say otherwise. It is in His infinite Grace and compassion that brings us the “gift” of forgiveness, and eternal rewards.

What an honor and privilege to be able to approach our King’s throne, knowing He cares for us, understands us, and patiently waits for us to seek Him in all we do.

When we rest in God’s Mercy and Grace, His love flows from within, and we can settle into a sweet fellowship with Him, all the days of our lives, and beyond.

Isn’t it astounding belonging to this “Royal Kingdom?” Isn’t it a gift to be loved by Him?

That would be an affirmative —Yes! & Yes!

“Father, thank You for the gift of Your Mercy and Grace, without Your sacrifice we wouldn’t have the glorious opportunity to approach Your Throne, and enjoy such an intimate relationship with You, may we be ever mindful of Your love, today, tomorrow, and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen!”

“This special bulletin, a shooting in a mall, several people killed.”

“This special bulletin, a house of worship was burned to the ground this pm”

“This special bulletin, a new variant of the Corona virus should be coming soon and has been showing up throughout the country.”

“This special bulletin, human trafficking is on the rise, and proliferating as we speak.”

“This special bulletin, gas prices are rising and so is food prices, and items sit on ships in California.”

“This special bulletin, Ukraine under attack….”

STOP!

Dear LORD, I still believe in YOU.

I know You are in control, and You and You alone, can put a stop to all of this, but we realize it is happening for a reason.

Evil exists in the world, has always been in this world, since the beginning of time. But You defeated death!

And circumstances are being recycled in terms of wars, prejudicial actions, control and power mongering, which is apparent in the media, in the news, on our computer screens, all around us.

Pain, crying, despair…but, no matter what,  Dear Sweet LORD, You are our Rock.

Now more than ever we must SHOUT GLORY to YOU!

I believe that we will get through anything with You. as our umbrella of protection, and as our provider and supplier, of all things needed to sustain and gain, and You remain in our Midst as we pray and say,

“Hallelujah! Christ is LORD!

Hallelujah!  He is above all!

Hallelujah!  You love Your children!

Hallelujah!  You Reign Victorious!

Hallelujah!  We belong to You!

Hallelujah! We surrender all!

Amen! Amen! and Amen!

Just wanted to give the LORD a special SHOUT out to proclaim His glory, His Divine Holiness, His Eminence, and Omnipotence.  And all the people say, AMEN!

Go ahead, and shout praise to Him, that is worthy, and to Him, that is LORD.

He defeated death.

He reigns victorious.

He is in control.

And remember that no matter what is happening in the world, in our neighborhood, in our life, that GOD is always at work, and He will make good on all of His promises in the Bible. And He will never leave us, nor forsake us.  Come together brothers and sisters and cry out to the LORD and believe in Him. Praise Him and shout to Him.

Proclaim His Glory, Omnipotence, and Power.  Today and always!

Amen!

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

“Please pray for Ukraine, may God sustain them, and bring them through this horrific dark time, in Jesus’ name, Amen!”

This God—His way is perfect;
    the Word of the Lord proves true;
    He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

Psalm 18:30 (ESV)

Psalm 18 speaks to the heart, it is exceptionally clear and instrumental to the daily grind of our lives.  It is about a very “active God in heaven speaking to King David a man on earth, who longs to eagerly seek His face and carry out God’s will in all He does.

The LORD has not changed one iota since the beginning of time, and He will continue to take care of us as He did all those years ago, today and tomorrow.

God is not partial to any particular individual, the only thing that truly matters is how that we have Him in our hearts, and that we seek Him in all we do, all the days of our lives.

Seeking Him continuously, is not an “old fashioned thing of the past,” but an integral and essential part of who we are.  It is the very foundation of our Christianity.  It is our inherent duty as followers of the LORD to proclaim His glory, and to be obedient to His Word, and representative of Christ in all we endeavor.

When we do all of which He expects us to, with a sincere and contrite spirit, in addition to an overflowing heart of love, we are essentially aligning to His will and purpose for our lives, and the rewards will resound prolifically all the days of our lives.

When we do things God’s way, we act on “command” and His timing, and not on our own instinct or our own timing.

When we do, He will show us the righteousness paths to walk upon, and in so doing, will lead us to the “green pastures.”  His way is always the ONLY way, and the best way.

Have you read His word today? 

Do you know Him?

God is waiting for You to make the first move.

Open His book and begin to know what life truly is all about!

“Father God, thank You for guiding me, leading me, touching me and healing me, without You I am nothing, for it is Your grace and love that provides all of my needs today, tomorrow and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:1-2

Isaiah 48:17 ESV 

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.

“He restoreth my soul and leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake…”

Psalm 23:3 (KJV)

Imagine this scene, you’re traveling to an unknown area and are lost. You pull over and start doubting the GPS directions.  And sitting looking around like a deer frozen in headlights, you’re unable to move because you are unsure which direction to go.  You’re totally and unequivocally lost!

Help??

That scenario is akin to our souls going down a path of unknown territory.  We’re stuck and unable to move, unsure of which way to go. Frozen, stuck, stagnating, and reticent about going forward, because of being held in an abyss of uncertainty.

God is the universal navigator for all times, for all souls.  He is the procurer of decency and significance.  He alone can guide our paths, if we “allow Him” to, by tuning in to His voice and His will for our lives.

Psalm 23 is a perfect example of His faithfulness and love for His children. He will restore our souls and lead us on paths of righteousness.

Proverbs, 3:5-8 Our LORD again reassures and promises us, that He will “guide our paths” when we trust Him and acknowledge Him.  This will bring health to our soul and nourish our bodies in the process, as He states.

Countless individuals suffer unnecessarily due to obstinance or lack of faith. Adhering to His Word and commandments and surrendering to His will, is a supreme choice that will alter our lives for the better. It will enrich our spirits and ignite our passion for living.

Are you lost?

Have you a lack of direction or guidance?

Trust in God,

and place yourself into His hands of love and grace, and then watch what happens in your life.

You’ll never be lost again, that’s a promise the good LORD will keep, and He will never let you go in the process.

Wow it doesn’t get any better than that!

“Thank You my Father, I trust You with all my heart, all my soul, and all my might, I lean not on my own understanding, in all my ways I will acknowledge You, You will direct my paths, I am not wise in my own eyes, I love You and keep from evil, it shall be health to my navel and marrow for my bones, in Jesus name, Amen.”

(Proverbs 3:5-8)

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:13

The world seems to grow “colder” by the second, and the elements of inhumanity and discourse appear to be ravaging so many. It’s rare to see good news on the news any longer. It’s like an ongoing twilight zone marathon at times. But I stand with God!  And no matter what I’m seeing or hearing…I know God is in control. So, what do we do in the meantime?

Don’t lose your voice around “ungodliness” or forfeit your inherent rights as a child of God to agree with “the masses.” Don’t be sucked up into a vortex of wrong deeds, ideology or evil doers.  Don’t silence your love of God by getting immersed with the daily grind of “the popular crowd” or the “current thread of societal norms.”

Instead, opt for the “TRUTH” and stand for what’s right and what’s good and what’s pleasing to God.  After all, He’s the One that truly matters, it’s His Holy Word, and commandments, that ultimately counts in the whole equation of “life.”

Now more than ever, we must be aware of what’s happening in this world. Evil forces are in place, forces beyond our own capabilities or abilities. We must acknowledge Spiritual forces are at play, here and now. There never was a time more profound to be in touch with our discerning spirit.

No political party will fix this chaotic world. Sinning is a spiritual disease. Spiritual disease is serious and ravishing many at this time. And it can be contagious!  Yes, from exposure to seeing evil behavior and discourse. Seeing individuals fighting each other, hurting each other. Witnessing it and listening to it can devastate the spiritual health of any given individual. It can unwillingly pull you in from overexposure to it.

The way we keep our heart healthy by exercising, eating right, so too must we do the same with our spirit. Being exposed to ungodly things can proliferate and deteriorate the spiritual health.

It truly makes a difference who we mingle with, listen to, converse with. Yes, we are supposed to offer and spread the good news and sow seeds to those in the dark.  But we must heed Jesus’ warning in Matthew 10:16, ““Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Feed your spirit with food from above, keep your spirit healthy with prime choices from a “one-of-a-kind-menu of His Holy Word.”  Keep your eyes on Him and do all things that align with the LORD, and you will experience Spiritual health, today, tomorrow and forever!

“Father God, may I continue to focus on You and Your Word, help me to live in the world, and not let the world live in me, I realize that You are the One in control, and only You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. (Psalm 140:13 KJV)

I was reminiscing with a friend about “pre-Covid days” and how things were taken for granted.  Most important, the large crowds, or groups of people in these so called, “normal” gatherings.

Normal gatherings meaning, no pointing fingers at random groups of “non-vaccinated” versus “vaccinated” — or political ideology preferences, etc., etc., etc.

My friend and I recalled a certain wedding we had attended about ten years back, we both said simultaneously, “remember the groups and table arrangements?”

Within the groups were disparaging ages and backgrounds.  There were ten of these groups, and it wasn’t designed as such, it just happened that way.

You know how it is while attending such gatherings, people will invariably drift off and “self-group” with those in which they could relate.

There was a lot of “table swapping” going on so people could mingle with those they had things in common with. It was an unusual wedding in that this was allowed, it was free flowing and went smoothly, no discourse just seeking a good time celebrating the couple’s union.

I couldn’t help but think about the “eternal presence” of God.  When we are called home, we will not be broken into “groups” –instead we will be gathered around the Light of the world.  We will all share a purpose as we worship our Lord and Savior…our King.

There will be no groups of five or ten…only a common thread cohesively formed by the cord of Christ. Our Father will be the reason and purpose, and we will all have things to do. Consequently, it will be a meaningful and peaceful gathering, at all times. Amen.

All those who surrender their lives to Christ will be rewarded.  We can still be blessed during our time here on earth, while in our “flesh bodies.”  We can come to the Lord, and He will sustain and provide for us here and now…and eventually lead the way into Eternity.

Doing His Will, as we go through life, will be the key to pleasing God, and He will bless us accordingly.

A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. (Proverbs 12:2 KJV)

Our Lord is wise and powerful. He loves us dearly, and wants us to follow His ways, so we might share the full course of eternity with Him. If He didn’t want us with Him, He wouldn’t have sent His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, to save us from sin. (John 3:16)

He created us and all things f for His pleasure.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11 KJV)

When we are called home and view His magnificence, we will be worshipping and bowing and proclaiming His Glory in unison, as we live in accordance with His promises and His will forever.

“Saying in a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Revelation 4:12 )

What a beautiful and peaceful assurance, to know that we will all live on forever in His love, and His glory.

What an awesome God we serve! Concentrate on Him, and His love, no matter what it is you may be going through, or experiencing…the end result is the reward that brings all things into perfect harmony and clarity of body, heart, soul and mind…

Amen and Amen~

“Dear Father God, how worthy are You as we bow to Your omnipotence and glory, thank You for Your provisions over our lives, and for never ceasing to care for us through good times and bad, from our first breath to our last, may we do all to honor You, today, tomorrow and forever, in Jesus precious beautiful name, Amen.”

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

1 John 4:4

He reigns victorious!  He defeated death! (1 Corinthians 15:55)

We have moved from the kingdom of darkness, into the Kingdom of Light. Our filthy covering of sin has been replaced with a robe of righteousness. Amen!  

An important message you might want to hang onto that supports that prolific verse is…”Although we live in the world, we must be careful not to allow the world to live in us!” 

Jesus’ great loving sacrifice is truly beyond the scope of our mortal mind and understanding. To fully comprehend the reality of what Jesus did for us at the cross, and His resurrection, eventually leaving us with the “Comforter” His Holy Spirit, simply defies the bounds in which our minds can grasp.  But the message from His heart is abundantly clear,  “He loves us with a fiery intensity that supersedes all else.”

Today take the time to thank Him from your heart and realize that although the world is filled with evil, debauchery and violence, we are children of the Light, and we do not walk in darkness.

We are children of the LORD and inasmuch, we corroborate daily with a cohesive narrative that supports His doctrine.  The world will not swallow us, instead we will walk in the Spirit and take delight in knowing He is with us, no evil or plagues will come near us. (Psalm 91)

The world is a place we live in, albeit temporarily, it is not our permanent home.  The reward of His Kingdom is the final destination and purpose of what we do today, as it will be what we ultimately reap tomorrow.

So go about your business today and always.

And remember, “Live in the world, don’t let the world live in you.”

“Father God, thank You for Your love at the cross, the sacrifice you endured for me, and for Your resurrection that set us free, You that live in me, is far bigger and better than anything that lives in this world, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Someone was boasting about knowing all aspects of the Bible and there wasn’t anything new.  Going deeper the individual exclaimed, “I know the Bible so much it doesn’t matter if I read it daily, once a week at church is enough.” 

Well, no one is here is ever going to “judge” that comment, after all we are not to judge at any time.  However, I do have some thoughts concerning this kind of thinking overall.

Personally, I can’t get enough of God’s Word.  His Word is always fresh, exciting and new.

The LORD’s Word is an ever-growing fountain of knowledge, that will continuously download into one’s soul, heart and mind.  The very foundation of God’s purpose is in His Word, for His children to build upon, and is there for all of us to enjoy.

And although we may know Chapter and verse, it is never the same each time one reads it.

For example, when I read from the Bible, there is another aspect, or thought I walk away with.  It may be something that touches my soul in a way it didn’t before.  Or it may be a verse that I needed to “hear” due to circumstances that loom large.  Or…it may be a “new concept” that suddenly jumps out and makes me say, “Wow!”

Reading the Holy Bible is to “hear God’s voice” speaking succinctly and directly to me.  It’s feeling His Spirit guiding me, as I seek His wisdom and peace.

It is learning how to understand life, and all of the nuances it encompasses.  His Word is akin to God’s breath, that catapults me into realms of reality, that assures me that I’m protected and loved.

So maybe for the individual that “only reads God’s Word weekly,” That’s okay for you, but not for me.

I want to feel connected and grow deeper and expand my roots of spirituality to the LORD, Jesus Christ…and His Word.

After all—“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…” – John 1:1

“Father, thank You for the Word and Your voice and wisdom, may I be ever seeking Your face and Kingdom, today, tomorrow and always, in Jesus’s name, Amen.”

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven ^[is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17 NKJV

Repentance is a recognition of our sin, and a commitment about that sin, to turn from it, and applying our concerted efforts going forward, onto a fresh path, after having been remorseful, for going outside the parameters of God’s Word.

We are turning from the sin, and have a complete change of mind, and change of heart, resulting in a change of conduct and direction resulting in a new path, having been forgiven by Christ.

Faith and repentance go hand-in-in.

We must firmly and wholeheartedly believe that Christ forgives us, be truly contrite, filled with remorse over our sin, and firmly adhere to turning from it.

But being human, we may therefore “slide” back into ” familiar sins”-and once again, we are called to repent. Our conviction by the Holy Spirit, will entreat us into realizing the error of our ways.

When we confess to God, we are in agreement with His Word, and realize it’s wrong and against Him.  So, we confess, and He is faithful and just, and He will forgive. Is that it? Well, there is more to confession than acknowledging what we did.

We need to truly apply those feelings of remorse, which is truly grieving the Holy Spirit, then fully turn from it, and walk away from it. Working hard to getting whatever it is “out of your life” and going forward with a clean slate. Amen!

The sweetest joy comes through sincere repentance toward God, for the transgression of His law, and through faith in the LORD Jesus Christ, as the sinner’s Redeemer, and personal Advocate.

Let’s not forget a particularly crucial factor, concerning our repentance. It is Christ’s love that allows us to repent and brings forth the conviction to do so. Without that conviction and love, we would be in dire circumstances.

Keep in mind that God loves us, even when we sin. His unparalleled love for us is truly undeserved, but we are important to Him nonetheless, and He sincerely loves all of us, irrespective of our actions.

God’s love has a purpose, and He loves to claim sinners and change their lives, thereby culminating into a close and beautiful relationship with Him, by altering their behavior, or honing it, according to His purposes, and will in our lives. So, we can share in the eternal rewards when we are called home.

Christ died for us, and that love prompts us to follow His path, not our own. We become new creatures as we are called to love others. To love God fully and completely and love our neighbors.

God gives us the strength to turn away from sins, the opportunity to do so, and the perspective and wisdom to understand why we should.

God will never turn from His children, instead He wants us to “turn to Him” for all of our needs, through good times and bad. And most important, His hands of grace are easy and gentle, and quick to forgive.

“Father, thank You for sending the Comforter to convict us, and to bring us closer to you, and allowing us to see the error of our ways, when we sin, Your love, and forgiveness are truly a gift, may we always turn to You in all things, in Jesus name, Amen.”

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him,

Which is the first commandment of all?

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 

Mark 12:27 -30 KJV

When the scribe inquired about the “first” commandment, Jesus answered swiftly, and responded with authority and assurance.  To love the LORD fully and completely, is not just about “loving” Him per se, but rather, it’s also about “choice.”

It’s one thing to read His Word, and recite some passages here and there, but it’s quite another thing to “fully endorse” the LORD, in all things, and include Him in all of the equations in our lives.

In other words, overtly choosing Him every day, while adhering to His Doctrine, and applying those standards to what we do. How we act, and what we say is an integral part of our Christianity, and crucial to our growth in the Spirit.

If we half-heartedly do things because we feel “obligated” because of our faith, then that really isn’t what the LORD is referring to with His answer about the “first commandment.”

To love wholeheartedly and unabashedly, is to pronounce and proclaim this continuously, no matter the circumstances, 24/7.

When we love Him unconditionally, it is a prolific statement in our hearts, and in our deeds.  It is a reflection of “His countenance” when we apply that kind of love, and dedication in all aspects of our lives.

It’s not to say we won’t experience adversity or painful scenarios and circumstances, after all…no one is impervious to sorrow or discourse of some nature.  However, we will be able to overcome with a buoyancy, that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to navigate quite so easily, if we didn’t have the LORD, and all that encompasses, every single day, in which we live here on earth.

The glorious rewards, we shall reap when we are called home, will far outweigh anything that we’ve been through in the past, now or tomorrow.  Eternal bliss is priceless, and to clarify it while embracing the love of GOD, and the love we have for Him, makes all things bearable and sustainable.

A favorite passage of mine that really pertains to all of us is 1 Corinthians 10:13, the message is abundantly clear.  “There isn’t anything that we are going through that someone else hasn’t gone through before, and the LORD never gives us more than we can handle, and most important, He will always provide a way out of it.”

To be a special part of a “royal family” of the LORD, we must love Him, because we “want to,” choosing consciously to be with Him, on all levels in spirituality, and formulating it constantly.  It’s a valuable part of living.

Quite frankly, it’s seemingly easy to “love Him.”   

We, on the other hand, are not that easy to love, and yet…He loves us more than we could ever possibly imagine, or comprehend, and for that alone…isn’t He worth loving with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength?

“LORD, we thank You for loving us, for providing us with all that we need on a daily basis, Your strength reinforces our paths, Your promises ignite our souls, and Your love sustains our hearts, may we, Your children, find favor in Your eyes today, tomorrow, and always, in Jesus name, Amen.”