It is all about God!

Good morning. I hope everyone was able to enjoy the beautiful cool weekend! Here is today's verse:

Colossians 1:16
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

This is something we must get into our heads and not forget. God created everything. All creation was His idea. The earth with all its beauty. The human body with all its complexities. The universe where we have never seen its end! Think about all that God has created...too much for the human mind to comprehend.

Why did God create all this? The second half of this verse tells us. For Him! God created all this to bring glory to His name. That includes us. We are here for one purpose...to glorify and worship God. Plain and simple huh? If humanity could just get this through there head what a difference it would make in this world of ours! As the Purpose Driven life book starts out by saying "It's not about you." How true, how true. Have you come to that point in your life where you have come to that conclusion? Until we do we will not be living life to the fullest!

God it is not about me....it is ALL ABOUT YOU! Help me to realize that each day!

Have a good Monday...Tom

The King shall rejoice in God!

Good Friday to all! Here is today's verse:

Psalm 63:11

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him shall glory;
But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

When I read this the first thought that came to my mind was....I wish we could have an out spoken Christian President. I mean one that would truly make his decisions by the Bible and live his life by the Bible and it be overwhelmingly obvious! Can you imagine what our nation would be like and the blessings God would pour out on us. Of course it would have to be more than just the President. It would take congress and the senate and the people also to be surrendered to Christ to truly move this nation in the right direction. During th reign of David the King did rejoice in God and oh how God blessed the nation during his time. As the verse says everyone who swears by Him shall glory. When we put our loyalty in God glory comes our way...what a promise that is! That is why I say if our leaders and our people will turn to God the blessings that would flow would be unbelievable!

Then this psalm closes with another promise...those who speak lies shall be stopped. I believe David is talking about telling lies about God or even those who tell the lie there is no God. One day they will be stopped at the Judgement of God they will bow and they will know the truth that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

Pray for our nation and leaders that all shall rejoice in God!

Have a great weekend!

Tom

God's protection

Wow did we have some elctricity flowing throught the air last night from some storms! Been a long time since I seen the sky light up like that! Thank you Lord for the protection and rain we needed it! That leads us to today's verse:

Psalm 63

9 But those who seek my life, to destroy it,
Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 They shall fall by the sword;
They shall be a portion for jackals.

David was a man who stood for God but that lead him into many situations where people wanted to take his life as we see in verse 9. For us we may not be in danger of losing our life for our beliefs but there are plenty who want to destroy our belief in Christ and the Word of God on which we stand. Since the Word of God has been put to pen thier have been folks trying to destroy it and the people trying to spread the Word but guess what the Word lives on! Folks have been killed for spreading the Word but guess what??? They live on in the kingdom of heaven. For all those people who try to destroy us we need to pray for them as God's word tells us to pray for our enemies. For those who never come to belief in Jesus and repent of their ways it is clear there is a place for them in eternity whcih verse 9 talks about....the lower parts of the earth also know as hell. So when we are being destroyed remember the destinations of the believer and the non-believer it is a definite encouragement for those who believe!

Verse 10 talks bout whn David was fighting for hsi life what would happen to those who came against him. They often fell by the sword and weere left for the jackels. Here I think of the United States. We were once a Christian nation and when we defended ourselves many fell to the sword. Now as our morals have turned as a whole we must be careful that we do not fall by the sword. We need a revival in this land in a bad way. Can it be done? Yes! But it takes a nation to fall on its kness, repent, and turn back to God and get in His Word. Be in prayer that this happens in our life time. If it doesn't can you imagine what this nation will be like for our chilrdren and grandchildren...Oh my, God have mercy on us.

Pray hard today....for our President and nation.

Tom

Hold me up!

Here we are half way through another week! Time flies when you are havin fun! Here is today's verse:

Psalm 63:8

8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.

I pray we all can say what David says in the first half of this verse. It takes effort that is for sure. To stay close to God as the world tugs and pulls for our attention we must be strong in our faith for our soul to follow God closly. Daily prayer and Bible study is a must to stay close behind God. I like that thought behind God too. If you are anything like me I have to be very careful of not getting in front of God and try to lead the way my way! God is our guide and leader. He is the one who is to be directing our lives. Stop right here and evaluate yourself...is God the leader in your life or are you?

Then David tells us God upholds him. Oh what a picture this is. Does God uphold you? I know He does me. Day by day God gets me through. The other day a lady from our church said she wondered how when people go through difficulties in life like death of a loved one or serious sickness how they ever make it through without Jesus in their lives. I agreed because I don't see how any one does it. I need Jesus to hold me up and He has never let me down yet...thank you Jesus!

So if you are having trouble standing today and you need help ask Jesus He will be there when no one else is!

God bless you all...Tom

Thank you for helping me Jesus!

Help, help, help! Have you ever noticed how much we ask God for help? Read the verse for today as you think about that.

Psalm 63:7

7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

I don't know about you but when I sit down and think about my prayer life I can honestly say I ask for help way more than I praise the living God. I would hate to have to put a percentage on it but if I had to I would say 90% requesting help, and 10 % priase. I am not even sure that is accurate. Think about your own life for a moment and how would your percentages come out?

Here in Psalm 63:7 David says "you have been my help". Thank you Jesus because you have been my help too! In all situations Jesus has been my help. Yes even when God did not answer my prayer like I wanted I can say God helped me. I can not count the times that situations I have prayed for turned out for the good even though it was not what I was asking for....God always knows best. Also there have been times where things have not turned out for the best in my eyes but you know what??? I have to trust my God because I know without a shadow of a doubt HE KNOWS BEST!

David goes on to say in verse 7 that because God is my help in the shadow of God's wings he will rejoice. The picture of being in the shadow of God's wings is a picture of protection. Isn't that a great comfort to know that! Just like a bird has to totally rely on it's mother for protection we muct do the same with God. Like I said before God knows best and we must always remember that. We too like David need to rejoice in the protection of the Father and how He continually helps us even though we don't deserve it!

Thank Jesus for all the blessings You bestow upon a sinner like me. You alone deserve all the honor, praise, and glory!!

Have a great day!

Tom

Bed!

I hope you had a great weekend and took time to worship the living God! Here is today's verse:

Psalm 63:6

6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.

Ahhh nothing like your own bed huh? When you go away on a trip and have to sleep in a different bed if you are like me you just don't sleep very well. But when you get home and get in your own bed it feels so good! Well this morning David tells us something else that feels so good to do in your own bed....remember God! This even feels good in a bed when away from home. I hope you take time to thankl God for the day every night. No matter what has happened that day. He deserves our praises.

David hoes on to say he meditates on God in the night watches. This could refer to two things as a soldier some will have to saty up through the night to keep guard. As one would keep guard what better way to spend the night then meditating on God? It could also mean when David would wake in the night He would turn his attention to God. Has God ever spoken to you in the middle of the night? He has me. Sometimes God wakes us because He has something to say to us so be ready to listen.

As I close for today let me ask you something. Have you ever fallen asleep praying to God? I have and felt guilty for it. I have come to the conclusion we should not feel guilty if we fall asleep praying. If you have children and they have fallen asleep in your arms you know how precious that is and what a feeling of closeness you feel with your child at that moment. I think God feels the same with us. We are talking with our heavenly Father and fall asleep in His loving arms. Can it get any better than that??? I think not.

Have a great Monday!

Tom

Satisfied???

This morning was beautiful morning! I got up and went fishing with a couple of friends. The sun came up and the fish bass were biting. I can honestly say I was satisfied with my morning. To be honest it was the best bass fishing morning I have ever had so I was more than satisfied I was estatic!!! So as we look at the verse for today ask your self is my soul satisfied???

Psalm 63

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

What does satisfied mean? Here is the definition: 1. content: 2. completely paid

Wow I like both of these. The word content is good as we think about our spititual lives. To be content one must be in good satnding with God. How does one do that? Accept Jesus Christ as the one who completely paid for our sins! Did you catch that the second defintion of satsifaction. Jesus completely paid for our sins and then and only then can we truly be satisifed spiritually. To complete the thought of David he used the words marrow and fatness. Marrow is defined as rich and nutritious food. Good food satisfies us doesn't it? That is what David was trying to convey. Fatness just expands that thought even further as it is defined as richness; fertility; abundance.

This morning I was praising the Lord do the crisp, cool, beautiful sunrise, bass biting morning. I was having a joyful morning with good Christian friends and a God who loves me. What more could I ask for?? Even if I had been at work or wherever I am satisfied with my God! And I will praise Him. What a Mighty God we serve.

So today can you praise God with satisfaction? I sure can. No matter what our circumstances we can say The Lord is good!

Have a great weekend my brothers and sisters!

Tom

Praise!

This is a great verse we could start every day with!

Psalm 63:4

4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

You know and I know it is easy to praise God when things are going good. The only problem is many folks forget to give Him the praise during these times. It seems as though we only want God when things are bad. Case and point is 9/11. The churches filled up for about a month. Folks were crying out to God which is good to a point. But slowly those who have no root faded out and church went back to the numbers of before 9/11.

Think about David who wrote this Psalm. If he is going to praise God as long as he lives it is a good suggestion for us to do the same. David expirienced many things in his life. For example...King Saul pursuing him to take his life, his son Absalom betraying him, the sin with Bathsheba which resulted having her husband murdered, and many more situations but yet David says I will praise you! For David was a man after God's own heart which is hope for us! Why? Because David made mistakes...big mistakes but he loved God and God's knows our hearts and forgives when we repent. So today no matter where you are in your life....lift those hands to God and give Him some praise for He alone is worthy!!! Praise God for as long as you live for one day if you know Jesus you will give praise for eternity....oh what a day that will be.

Enjoy God today......Tom

Better than life!

Psalm 63:3

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.

I want you to do something this morning. Think for two or three minutes on the first part of this verse "your loving kindness is better than life. Then I want you to answer this question.....Can you honestly say that in your life right now. God doesn't want the Sunday school answer He wants the truth...He knows your heart anyway!

What is lovingkindness? Let us break it down. Love is a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. I am not sure we have words in our language to describe how much God loves us. I always like to say if you have children would you give that child for me to save me from hell? Or how about Charlie Manson would you give your child for him? Well God gave His Son for me, Charlie and you....now that is love. Then there is kindness. Which is the act of being a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature. That describes Jesus. Jesus was friendly to all and that should be an example to us. Jesus was generous he always gave what He could and then offered up His life for all...now that is generous! Jesus was warm-hearted or compassionate. We hurt Him with sin everyday but He is still seeking us to have that relationship with Him. Why??? Because He cares about us deeply.

In this life of ours we seek out all kinds of things to make us happy. I am living proof that things will not make you happy. The only thing in life that will satisfy you is the loving-kindness of Jesus. He wants to fill that void in your life that only He can fill. Give Him a try I promise you will never regret it. Then your lips shall do as David's did "my lips shall praise you." Jesus my lips shall praise you too and you alone are worthy of that praise!!! Jesus you are better than life itself! What are your lips praising this morning?

Have an awesome day...Tom

Is Church important??

Today was my daughters first day of school. Oh how they grow so fast. Here is my thought to start out the devotion for today. We all know how important an education is right? We would not think of keeping our kids home from school because for the rest of our lives we need to be able to read and write, do math and all the other things school teaches us. Why then do we feel we can miss church and Sunday school when it is preparing us for eternity? Think on that as you read the scripture for today.


Psalm 63:2

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

King David it appears found it very important to search for God in the sanctuary. He says he seen God's power and glory! That is so awesome. Have you ever expirienced God's power and glory? You can every week in worship at the house of God. You also can outside of church by living for Jesus in every area of your life. I can not figure out how so many people are fooled by the devil every week by staying at home from worship but yet claiming they have a relationship with God. I have heard all the excuses believe me. They say hypocrites are at church. Yeah that's right and they are everywhere else in life too! You are not there for them you are their to worship God and the church is the hospital for sinners remember that! They also say I can worship God in the woods or on the water or watching football, ect, ect. Yes you can but God set the sabbath asides for rest and worship and one other thing He says in Hebrews 10:25.

Hebrews 10:25 (New King James Version)

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hmmmmm as is the manner of some! How many are falling into that category? The day approaching is Jesus return. The bible says it will be like a thief in the night. I wonder how many will be caught unprepared??? I hope it won't be you!

It is our job folks to seek Jesus and if we think school is so important and it is....how much more is church and Sunday school???

Witness the power and glory of God yourself and get involved in church today!

Love and peace to all in the name of Jesus....Tom

God....are you seeking Him?

Good Monday morning. I greeted at the High School doors this morning as the kids arrived. Some were excited and some were not. The first day of school. I was thinking this morning...Are the kids their seeking an education or just because they are forced to go?? This brought me to this passage this morning:

Psalm 63
A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.


Are we seeking God? Or do we follow God as a duty? Or maybe not at all....drop outs! Psalm 63 is a dandy. I like how David starts out You are my God! Can you say that this morning? We should want to shout it from the roof tops!! David goes onto say early I will seek you. As I write this it is only 9:00 a.m. Have you searched out God this morning? Stop and do it now if you have not. We need to start our day with God!! David says his soul thirsts for God. To be honest all our souls have a thirst for God. We will not have the peace only God can fill is we are not filling this thirst with Jesus Christ. He is the only thing that will satisfy this thirst...the Living Water! David continues and says his flesh longs for God. To me that means David had his heart right with God at this point. For our flesh in it's natural environment does not long for God but the world. So David was right with God.....is your flesh right with God? A good check on that is to see where your desires lie. Are you desiring Godly things or the things that the world has laid out there for us. If you are wondering what those things the world is offering you better dive into your Bible because that is where God tells us!!

David goes onto tell us we live in a dry and thirsty land. Oh how I love the Word of God and how it is still alive and on the money for us today! Are we in a dry and thirsty land...you bet your bottom dollar we are. The world is dying of thirst and the water(Jesus Christ) is right there in front of them! What more can God do for us?? Absolutely nothing. Thank you Jesus!

Take time today and thin about this opening verse in Psalm 63. It should really speak to us!

Have a great Monday!

Tom

You need....God gives

Good Friday to all. Let's read our scriptures this morning.


Philippians 4:14-20

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

What I want you to take away from these verses this morning is God will supply for your needs. There are two main points I want you to see here though.

1. Paul was working full force for God and His Kingdom.

God takes care of His own. I am of full belief that God provided for Paul and meet every need that Paul had and he will do the same for you and I. But you must put your belief and trust in Jesus. When we put our trust in Jesus we should automatically start working for the Lord. Small steps t first and then increase along the way. The book of James says "faith without works is dead." Paul's faith was certainly not dead. Ask yourself this question this morning....is my faith dead?

2. God said He would meet his needs not his wants.

A need is what is needed to survive. Think of all the things Paul could have thought was a need but learned it was not like....not being physically harmed(He was beaten many times), physical health(he had some kind of health problem but God did not heal it), release from prison(he spent a long time here), and the list can go on. In our minds many of these things would be needs but not to God or Paul. God made sure He had food and water. The churches helped provide sometimes for Paul.

As I think on this this morning it sure does remind me of how blessed I am. Wow. I am so unworthy. So many things I pray about are not needs. Lord help me to have just a portion of will to serve you that Paul did.

Take time and really think about this lesson...it has smacked me right in the face.

Have a good weekend and serve the King!

Tom

Can you say...am I content?

My friends stop for a moment this day and just praise the King. He deserves it for He is God.

Today's devotion as always when we are in God's word is tough. When I answer the question asked in the title I can't honestly say that I am always content. It seems as though we think we always need more or less of something. Maybe we should realize God has us right where we are for a reason and take our life at that. Paul did and we should too!

Here are our verse's:

Philippians 4:10-13

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

In verse 10 Paul praises the Philippians church for their care. The in verse 11 Paul says really he has no need! WOW no need??? He is in prison and has been through beatings, shipwreck, snake bites, and all sorts of persecution but he is content. Brothers and sisters this is something we must grasp onto. A very important teaching. God does not promise comfort now....only in eternity. Matter of fact Jesus basically promised persecution if we are following Him! Do you now why Paul was content? Because He was in the center of God's will and he knew it. Are you content? Are you in God's will? Are you being persecuted? Our answers to these questions can tell us much about our faith.

In verse 12 Paul tells us he can be abased...the word abased means lower reputation or to be humble...after meeting Jesus in the way He did I don't think Paul had a problem with where he ranked in man's opinions. Paul also said He knows how to abound...abound means rich or filled up...Paul at one time had everything materially he could ever want he found only Jesus satisfies and now he is full! Then Paul says in verse 13, one of the most used verses in the Bible, he can endure anything through the strength of Christ. He proved this verse didn't he? This verse is used in the wrong way often. Here is what I mean. Athletes use this verse often in the sense that God will provide for them to overcome on the field. Does God really care if I hit a home run or score a touch down? I doubt it. What God does care about is spreading His word and bringing others to Him and when we are facing persecution in doing so He will give you the strength you need to get it done!

So my brothers and sisters are you content? Even in suffering? Hard question huh?

Have an awesome day!

Tom

What are you meditating on?

Good day to all. We were blessed with some more rain here last night. Thank you Jesus for watering the crops again!

Today's devotion is very important to our walk with God. Where is our mind at? Here are today's verses:


Philippians 4:8-9

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

In verse 8 Paul tells us to meditate on some things. Why? Pretty simple it will keep our mind on the things that er of God and not of the devil. The first is true. We are fed lies everyday and we must sift through them to concentrate on the truth. The best way to do that is to stay in the Word. It helps us to find the truth! Next Paul says noble. One of the definitions of noble is of an admirably high quality; notably superior; excellent. Keep our thoughts on Jesus and that pretty well can sum that up huh? Next Paul mentions things of high report. A report is a statement or announcement and what Paul was referring to hear was keep in your thoughts the work being accomplished for Jesus Christ. That will keep you focused. Forget the bad and remember the good! Virtue means conforming to moral and ethical principles. So here Paul was most likely referring to those who were turning their lives over to Jesus for that is definitely praiseworthy. Paul says meditate or think deeply on these things. So let me ask again what are you meditating on? Dr. Phil? Oprah? Your problems? Change your thought pattern and see what a difference it makes in your life!

Then Paul says in verse 9 what you have learned , saw, and heard in me.....DO! Paul was not being boastful....he was totally sold out for Jesus and was living a life worthy to be followed as an example. So are so following Paul's example today??

God bless...Tom

Are you anxious??

The youth group and myself had a great day in God's wonderful creation. We went to Nashville shores. Yeah I know suffering for Jesus...haha! Thank you Jesus!! Now onto the devotion.

Keep in mind as you read this scripture Paul is writing this from prison!

Philippians 4:6

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I believe if I was in prison I may be a little anxious to get out of there! I want you to take a moment and evaluate your life right now. What are you anxious about? Is it your job? Your children? Or maybe your relationship with your husband and wife. What ever it is Paul tells us how to solve the situation. Bath the situation in prayer and supplication. Prayer is talking to God just like I am talking to you. Pour yourself out to Him. That is what He wants. A relationship with you. I know it is hard to believe the Almighty God wants to a relationship with you or me but it is true! I want to share something with you to help you in your prayer life that will help you keep from just being selfish in your prayers. Use the word ACTS to help you pray. This is how it works.

A----Stands for adoration. Tell God how you adore Him. Call out ways you adore Him such as comforter, refuge, peacemaker, Almighty, ect. Basically just let Him know how much you adore Him.

C----Stands for confession. Confess to God where you failed Him. Be honest and let it go....He knows anyway but wants you to confess it daily. You will be amazed at how much more pure your relationship with Him will be.

T----Stands for Thanksgiving. Thank God for all that He has blessed you with. When you do this it will humble you greatly knowing how good God really is!

S----Stands for supplication. This is where we pray for a lack of better words petition God for ourselves and for others. Humbly pour your requests to God and then believe He will answer the way that is best for He is God!!!

I hope this may help you, as it has me in my prayer life. It helps keep you focused and not just concerned with self.

Verse 6 tells us we need to make our requests made known to God! He wants to hear them. That is some great news for us today!

Verse 7 is something that I have learned in my Christian life about prayer and anxiousness. When we truly turn it over to God no matter what it is God gives you a peace that is undescribable. I honestly can't tell you how many times this peace has been provided to me. Here is the key....you have to give it to God and let go of it. Trust me He can handle it. Also remember His answer may not be what you are expecting but God always knows best!!!

This lesson has really encouraged me and reminded me of some things this morning..thank you Jesus. I pray it does the same for you.

Have a great day in the Lord....Tom

Are you gentle?

Good Monday morning to all. This is a verse I know I need to continually work on. Here it is:


Philippians 4:5

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Seems very simple huh? We live in a very harsh tough world where everyone is out for themselves and it don't matter who gets in the way! When we examine this verse that kind of thinking goes down the drain real fast. We are to be gentle to all men.

gen⋅tle

1. kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.
2. not severe, rough, or violent;

Do these words describe you? They sure describe Jesus and that is what our life is to be all about. I know for myself I would not describe myself as gentle and that is why it is a constant work for me. To be an effective witness for the Lord being gentle with the Word can sometimes be the key to bringing that person to Jesus. So are you known as being gentle to all men? If you are a man reading this word it sounds kinda funny to us to even say that doesn't it? That is because that's what the world has taught us! Being gentle doesn't mean being a wimp matter of fact it takes more strength to be gentle then it does just to fly off the handle all the time!

The verse ends with the Lord is at hand...remember Jesus can come at any time and we all want to have our lives conformed as close as we can with the Word of God so let me ask again...are you gentle?

Have a great week...Tom