SKYLIGHTS TO HEAVEN

This is the day the Lord hath made I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

The sunshine feels so wonderful today! There is nothing like days of rain to renew our appreciation of the sun.

Taking a break, I’m sitting on the porch looking up into the azure blue sky through sparkling, clean skylights.

Moments ago I was on the porch roof cleaning them. Completing my task and straightening my back to enjoy the view I gazed up into the sky overwhelmed with thankful praise for my Father in Heaven.

My senses were invigorated by the warm sun on my skin and the sound of leaves clapping in the breeze. Thankfulness for being able to accomplish this task wells up in my heart. My body allows me to. I am especially appreciative after my tumble down a flight of stairs a year-and-a-half ago. God chose to save me early that morning and heal my body and brain with only slight memory deficits remaining. From time to time I am reminded by something forgotten.

It keeps me humble.

Looking up I wonder, "Why God? Why do You choose to bless me so much when there are those who suffer? Why are some healed and not others? Why do some die and others live?" He does not answer at this time, but His love reassures me that His way is perfect.

Again, I am humbled. These are His mysteries. Some day maybe we will know or possibly it will no longer be important. Until then, I will accept each day and remember to rejoice and be glad for one more.

Father, You are the giver and keeper of all our days. I rejoice, thanking You for each one. Amen.

 © 2017 Bonnie Mae Evans

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

Do you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 1st Corinthians 6:16 (NIV)

When I petitioned Jesus through the sinners’ prayer, to be my Lord and Savior, I knew He was with me. As I have continued on my faith journey, I have come to fully embrace that God’s Spirit is in me. Indeed, His Spirit can transform me every day.

All who are Christ followers can be in constant communion with His indwelling Spirit. As we spend time studying and reflecting on God’s Word, we begin to understand the nature of God. This allows us to recognize His voice and then we will begin to surrender to His Spirit within us.

We must also honor God’s Spirit dwelling within us, by caring for our physical bodies. Cultivating good habits for our nutritional intake, exercise routine, and sleep will improve and sustain our health even into our later years. We will be able to run the race He has set before us as His sons and daughters.  We will be His witnesses to the ends of the earth, offering our bodies as living sacrifices.

God will direct our steps throughout each day. He will calm our fears and anger, which come from the enemy. God’s Spirit will fill us with hope, joy and compassion. Each day will be filled with the Holy Spirit, pouring forth onto all whom we encounter. Our bodies will have become His temple, a conduit through which His Will can be done.

Father, may we train our bodies and our minds, to be open to and ready for Your Spirit to move in amazing ways

© 2017 Marianne Lucot

PROMISES

Who then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

Psalm 25:12 (NIV)

Weekly I go to our local jail to lead a group in discussing a program titled “Overcomers”. Most of the men who come to the group say they are already Christians. Yesterday, as I began our session, one asked how I was doing. I responded with the story of how I had been surprised by all four of my children, some coming hundreds of miles, for a celebration of my 80^th birthday. The subject of our session was “Victory,” pointing out that we who have given our lives to Jesus are victors in life. This soon led to a discussion of what it means to be a child of God.

They pointed out that, in some respects at least, my life has been blessed more than theirs. For at least one of them, there came a new awareness that, as a child of God, he is a victor and not a victim in life.

Psalm 25 tells the story of why. For those who lift up their soul to God, there is a promise of instruction on how to live in a way that leads to “prosperity and descendants who will inherit the land.”—in other words, a life of blessings and victories. The process is simple in concept: 1) we turn to God for instruction, 2) through the Bible and other means and circumstances, God instructs us in the way that leads to true life, and 3) God pours out His blessings in many ways.

Our God makes promises and keeps them.

© 2017, Parker Wayland

KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.  John 3:17 (NIV)

I am not an eloquent speaker filled with many words and sayings to impress the masses. It is in smaller surroundings where I am most comfortable. At the mere thought of speaking to a large group, my voice and knees begin to tremble. And my stomach—well, you get the idea. 

But, when God speaks to me . . . now that is when the magic begins.

God speaks . . .

I become still and listen . . .

Then, I begin to write . . .

The desire to write is a recent development in my life and has become like breathing to me. It is an extension of my very soul. To know the words written by me have the potential to touch another person is truly amazing and humbling.

In our world today, we may become concerned with being unable to excel at everything. But God did not create us to be exceptional at all things; He created us with a purpose for our lives designed exclusively by Him. God has blessed all of us with unique gifts to share with others. 

Long ago, Jesus came down from heaven to dwell among us with a God-given purpose. His purpose, to seek and save the lost, led Him to a cross on Calvary where He was suspended between heaven and earth. It was on that cross that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, poured out his precious blood as atonement for our sins . . . for all who believe in Him. 

I often wonder where we would be today if Jesus walked away from His God-given purpose . . .

Lord, help us discover our purpose in life and pursue it with faith and passion.

© 2017 Amy A. Verzi