“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). Every few months HUD Housing inspects its rental homes to make sure that they are being taken care of. I wonder what God would find if He walked through your home today? The garden of Eden was Adam and Eve’s home and apparently He made a daily inspection of the garden. It was always at the end of the day. This should not have been a surprise visit for He had been there the day before, but on this particular day the scripture says that they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord. We know why they hid; because they had disobeyed God. If God inspected my home would I pass the inspection or would He find grounds to evict me? How about your home? Maybe it’s time to clean out the things from our home that displease God.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I don’t want to find anything in my house that would be displeasing to You. You have provided a home where I can reside with my family. Let me keep it clean and pure in Your sight. Amen!
“Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord” (Psalm 107:43 in the King James Version of the Bible).
After reading this in my Bible, I reread it in the Message version, “If you are really wise, you’ll think this over—it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.” This is Thanksgiving month; a month set aside to count our blessings. It’s time we wise up to God’s loving-kindness to us and show our appreciation by worshiping Him more.
Prayer: Every day this month I will sing with the songwriter, “Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You Lord for making me whole. Thank You Lord for giving to me; Thy great salvation, so rich and so free.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:” (2 Corinthians 3:2 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
The city of Corinth was an exceedingly immoral and abandoned place according to Barnes’ Commentary. In spite of the condition of this city a large number had been converted to Christianity and a church was organized. The news had spread abroad. Paul was proud of them and wanted the Corinthians to know their conversions had made a difference. There is nothing better than being a testimony of what God has done in your life. A testimony is not what is said necessarily but what is lived out in our lives. Regardless of how rough your neighborhood is someone is reading your life page by page and deciding if they want to embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ; it’s the Gospel according to you! Don’t forget, actions speak louder than words!
Prayer: Lord, let my life be a testimony that others are drawn to by my actions. Let others see Jesus in me. My city needs You and I can lead them to You.
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). In the corporate world the profit and loss statement is reviewed often to make sure the company is on target and that adjustments are made properly. I only wish the same amount of diligence was given to our souls. According to this Bible verse, the soul is the most valuable asset we have. When was the last time you looked at your own spiritual profit and loss statement from God’s perspective?
Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to make sure that I am laying up treasures in Heaven. The whole world is of no value if I lose my soul.
“And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4). Recently I read a perfect illustration of trust. Have you ever noticed the expression of an infant being carried on the shoulder of his mother or father? The baby’s face is a study in total relaxation and trust. While the parent sees where the two are headed, the child can see only where they have been. The infant is not worried about being at least five feet in the air because he trusts the one that is holding him. God promises to carry us for a lifetime.
Prayer: Lord, I want to trust You more. I want to continue leaning on my Father’s shoulder knowing that He knows the way to take me. I am dependent on Your care.
Paul did not want the church at Ephesus to think that living for God was a piece of cake; he wanted them to know the truth of the matter – they are in a fight to the finish. He told them in order to win the battle they must put on the whole armor of God. The Message version of the Bible puts it this way, “Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them through your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon” (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Prayer: I know that it’s a fight to the finish and that’s what I intend to do. Lord, I put on the armor so that I can withstand the enemy of my soul. You are my protection. Amen!
“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the…
“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.)
I recently saw a church sign that read, “Attitudes are contagious!” How true. I would go one step further and say, “Attitudes are highly contagious!”
Observe those around you wherever you go today. We affect each other in ways we are not even aware of. A smile will cause the next person to smile. Grumbling about the produce will cause others to join in and only make matters worse.
I often told my children that their attitudes were showing. Believe you me it’s worse than having your slip hanging below your skirt! Watch the way one child reacts when another child takes his toy. The fight is on; pulling and screaming ensues.
Prayer: Jesus, help me to be quick to pass on love and peace that comes from You. Thank You for the love that exist in the church. Don’t let this love ever be interrupted but let it continue. In the midst of chaos let me breathe Your name. Amen!
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the father, but by me.” (John 14:7 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible) Myths are stories handed down through the years that may or may not be true. There are…
“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.)