Time for Some Order

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

Ever feel like this guy? Everything is in chaos and you are not sure where to start to put it in order. Well you might try what he is doing, by putting one thing in it's place and then another. Many times we can not accomplish anything because we are trying to do everything. As Jesus told Martha only a few things are really important and, in the end only one. So, does life feel like it is out of control...papers stacked on the desk, in-box full, voice mail maxed out, mail not opened, bills not paid. Where oh where to start. Make a list right now of 5 things you want to get done today, finished, completed, put to rest and then do them. You will feel a real sense of power and accomplishment. God is not the Gd of confusion but of order.

Out With the Bad, In With the Good

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (The Message)
The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

We are creatures of habit. Some of our habits are good and some not so good. Usually we wait for a New Year to make resolutions but, there is no time like the present. If we decide to get rid of a bad habit we must replace it with a good one. Pray and ask God what He would want you to Stop doing and Start doing. Do it today. Make the change right now. Read the passage again and then write down what you are going to stop and what you are going to start. Just one thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsoiI8XhpmY&feature=related

Who's Your Hero?

Many times we try to figure our problems out for ourselves. Like the child in the picture holding on to her shoe, we hold on to the hurt and frustrations of our situations. Instead we should give ALL those to the Lord. He has all the answers we need. He is the Answer. Leave it to us to figure out and we end up with our shoe on the wrong foot. Instead of God being our last resort, he should be our first thought of who to go to when we are in trouble. He is our best friend, our Lord and Savior, our most present help in time of need. He is our hero, the only one who can save us from our sins, sickness, and sorrow, and keep us walking on the path to heaven.

Melissa Tew

These Things We Believe

II Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline

Flannery O'Connor said;

"Even in the life of a Christian, faith rises and falls like the tides of an invisible sea."

If we are honest there are just some days when our faith is not as strong as others. At times like that I find it helpful to quote a favorite passage. For each of us the passage might be different but the results are the same. It strengthens us as we recite God's Word. It reminds us there is a God who is in control when we feel like our life is spinning out of control. For me that passage is the 23rd Psalm. Sometimes I say it out loud and sometimes just to myself. One such occasion was August 20th 2007. That morning I had a heart attack and found myself in the emergency room. As people were hurrying around me probing, sticking, preparing me for a heart Cathe I quietly recited the 23rd Psalm and it reminded me that I nor these people were in control but that God was my Shepherd and He would see me through. I encourage you to memorize a favorite passage and recite it often. You will be amazed how it will encourage you.

What Are You Planting Today?

Galatians 6:7

You will always harvest what you plant.

Everything you see that is growing in this picture started from a seed. Each day we plant seeds and they will eventually come up. Some days we plant good seeds and other days we plant bad seeds and they will all come up, given time. Our words are seeds also. You plant seeds in peoples lives and hearts by the words you speak. Try this.....today plant positive seeds in the lives of people. Instead of criticizing , compliment them. Instead of finding something they are doing wrong find something they are doing right and praise them for that. Each time you do you are planting seeds in their lives and in your own. Plant criticism and you will reap it, plant negative thoughts and they will grow big and strong. So, today what will you plant?

Luke 17:6

The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqpE3RP6TSE&feature=related

God's Truth

Psalm 119:160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

We may believe certain things about ourselves but our evaluation is not always true. We may think we are too fat or thin or short or tall or maybe even too stupid to make a difference in the world. Many times we focus on the negative instead of the positive, What we do not have rather than what we do have. Truth is God has created each one of of us with a specific purpose in mind. Ask him right now what that purpose is. He will not hide it from you but we must make sure we are trying to live inside of God's Will. We can not deliberately live outside God's Will and expect Him to reveal His plan for our lives.

Lord, grant me weak eyes for things that are of no account and strong eyes for all Your truth.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Mark 1:35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

Life is so busy. You barely have time for yourself, let alone God. There are schedules to keep, to do lists, calls to make, e-mails to answer, text to respond to. The noise of the world drowns out the voice of God. If you make time for silence you make time for God. He is still speaking but can we hear Him over the noise of the World. Take a few moments today to slip away for a few minutes and listen with your heart and ears as God speaks to you. During the day we spend time doing so many things. A few moments of silence will time well invested. One of the best songs I have ever heard, click on the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtDoQUQuQBQ

That is How we Learn

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

I read a story once about a man out taking a walk with his son. The son was asking him a series of questions. "Dad, how do they make electricity?" I don't know , his father responded. "Dad, where did all the stars come from?" I don't know, the father replied. "Dad, where do we go when we die?" I don't know, relied the father. Then the boy asked if all these questions were bothering him. Not at all, said the father. How will you learn anything if you don't ask questions. God is not afraid of our questions. He knows we have doubts and fears. It helps if we read His Word. There we find many of the answers we are searching for. But, sometimes we just do not understand why certain things happen. Don't be afraid to call on God and share your questions. He will give us Wisdom if we ask for it. James 1:5 Do not miss this short video. It will make your day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U-Jr2K8agc

Be Very Wise

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

"When Shall we Live if not Now?"

Many people waste today thinking about past victories and failures. Many people lose today's potential thinking about tomorrows possibilities. Both of these scenarios are very sad. You have ONE chance to live June 16,2009. What will you do with it? Don't just read the devotion, answer the question. "When Shall we Live if not Now?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPWq8eM4lu8&feature=related

God's Gift to You

Psalm 143:8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Look around do you see God's gift to you today? It is the gift of a new day, a new week, and a new opportunity. No matter what happened last week good or bad this is an opportunity to begin again. Sometimes we get to the place where we do not appreciate the gift of a new day because it is so common place. Thank God for the opportunity right now to live another day and then offer short prayer of thanks and also for direction on how to best use this day, this precious gift from God.

Great each day with your eyes open to beauty, your mind open to change, and your heart open to love. Play the video, say your prayer, begin your day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOnig91kZQg&feature=fvw

One Nation Under God

Psalm 33:12 (New International Version)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

Do they not teach American History in Ivy League schools?

Let me know what you think.

nc_jeff@hotmail.com

Click on the Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpQOCvthw-o

Picture This

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

There are many days we allow ourselves to get sucked into the temporary and lose sight of the eternal. We are overwhelmed by the news of the day, false emergencies and "to do" lists. We need to step back for a moment and Picture this. Suppose for a moment that the earth is a large ball of steel suspended in Space. An eagle flies from a place in the Universe that takes One Million Years to arrive at earth. The eagle lands on the huge steel object and scratches it one time with it's talon, and them flies back taking another Million years to arrive at the starting point. This process is repeated over and over and over until the earth is reduced to a pile a metal shavings. At that point Eternity would just be beginning. Should we not step back and think about that for a moment. Read the passage again and then listen to the song. It will only take a few minutes out of your busy day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBNE25rtnE

Anyone can Teach Someone Something

Psalm 119:130 (New Living Translation)
The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

What are your first impressions as you look at this picture? I will share my first impressions with you concerning these people in this photograph. I assume they are Asian and that they are fisherman and for some reason believe that they might only get by on the money they make fishing. I could be completely wrong about all of those things but I do know this, these people in this picture probably know a lot more about fishing than I do. I could learn quite a bit from them. They may also know a lot more about life than I do. The only way to find out is to meet them and talk with them. Every person you meet every day knows something you do not know. A homeless person with a third grade education could teach a PhD something about life. You do not need a degree or a teaching position to teach. All you need is a heart that cares and something to share. So, today I hope two things happen. You take the time to teach someone something and that you also take the time to allow someone to teach you. Listen to a child they can teach us a lot. Things we once knew but have forgotten over time. Children know a great deal about love, joy, the wonder of imagination, and forgiveness. Have a great day, class is in session.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIs9HFN7S58

Know When to Say Yes

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (New International Version)
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might...

Last week I wrote a devotion on the importance of knowing when to say NO. It is also important to know when to say YES. The quote I used in that devotion was from an unknown author..............., and read as follows, " Yes and No are the two most important words you will ever say. These are the two words that determine your course in life, and you your eternal destination." We must learn to say Yes to those things that involve God's Will for our lives. First, we should say yes to Christ as He stands at the door of our heart and knocks.

Revelation 3:20 (New International Version)
20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

God Will then present us with opportunities, and great adventures if we will only say Yes to following His plan for our life. The choice is yours. There is nothing more exciting than fallowing the Will of God and nothing more frustrating than trying to live outside of it. Say Yes today if you feel God is leading you to do something. If He brings you to it he will bring you through it.

Friends

Invite a Friend to go to Church with you this weekend. Listen to the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsx1DIc5o4A&feature=related

Have a great weekend.

Yes or No?

Matthew 5:37 (New International Version)
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'...

I read a quote the other day I would like to share with you. "Yes and no are the two most important words you will ever say. These are the two words that determine your destiny in life." When I first read it I was not sure if I believed it but I decided it is true. These two words do not only determine your destiny in life but for all ETERNITY. If we say yes to God we gain eternal life and if we say no to God we condemn ourselves to hell.

There are other times we say yes and no and they are very important also. How we answer a marriage proposal, job offer, an invitation from a police officer to present our drivers license and registration. We also need to learn to say no when we are over extended and can not take on any more responsibilities. We stress ourselves out by trying to do too much. It is OK to sometimes just say NO. But when it comes to God I would encourage the use of YES. Yes and No two most important words we will ever say hmmmmm. Don't miss this video and song. Click on the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB8XiM66xIw

" I Wonder if I could Drive this Thing?"

Luke 1:37 (New International Version)
"For nothing is impossible with God."

Possibility thinking. Do we really believe that with God on our side all things are possible?

Philippians 4:13 (New Living Translation)
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Many times we limit ourselves by negative thinking. We believe that maybe we are just ordinary and can not think outside the box or live outside others expectations of ourselves. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I think of ordinary people who have done extraordinary things because they followed Christ. We often talk of people like Moses, Joshua ,Gideon, Samson, David, Elisha, Simon Peter, Paul, etc. The reason we remember their names is that they allowed God to take them and use them. They were not limited in their thinking. You may have an idea that the world has been waiting for for a long time. You have a all powerful limitless God who resides IN YOU. Allow Him to help you become all you were created to be. It is never too late to become the person God intended you to be. Just read the stories of Noah, Moses, Caleb. You only get one chance at this life, make the most of it. "You can not steal second base with one foot on first." Go ahead take a chance while you still can. You will always regret it if you don't.

Listen to this song by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and then ask God what He wants you to do today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxKuDu2Vu1k&feature=related

Think About This

Joshua 24:15 (New King James Version)
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...

Each day we must make decisions. God has given us the gift of free will and the ability to reason. Some decisions are small and you weigh the pros and cons and then make your decision. But, some decisions are of great importance and require prayer, Godly counsel, and wisdom. Read James 1:5. God will guide your steps but He will not force you in the way you should go. We must take responsibility for not only our actions but our thoughts. Many times we must make decisions because they are right not simply because they are convenient. So whatever it is you are thinking about today, commit it to prayer, seek Godly counsel, ask for God's wisdom and then Choose the way you should go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ2OMoFuHQQ&feature=related

Its All About the Power

Ephesians 6:10 (New Living Translation)
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power

People put a great deal of emphasis in Power. Armies, weapons, politics, economic, strength, etc. But real power, lasting power comes from within. World empires come and go but God's strength lasts forever. People work very hard in the gym, in the office, in the world governments to be the biggest the strongest the most powerful but many of these empires, armies, corporations fail and fail miserably. But, God never changes, never fails, never falls. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Put your trust in God and cultivate your relationship with Him. develop the inner strength that God can provides as He works in and through you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzKo25QKPsY&feature=PlayList&p=3D2208B91D67796A&index=33