What a Word from God on this Monday morning!
Ecclesiastes 5:19
19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.
How many of us got up this morning grumbling about another Monday and it is raining, blah, blah, blah! We should roll out of bed every morning and praise God for his great gifts! (No I don't always do this...lol) Think about what this verse says this morning. Has God given you riches and wealth? Yes He has. I have shared before that if you have a roof over your head, food on the table, and clothes on your back you are in the top 4% of richest people in the world! Has God given you the ability to use these riches? Yes He has. I am warm because I can put on clothes, I am full because I could feed myself, I am dry this morning because I could walk inside my house...thank you Jesus for your blessings this morning. We all have received a heritage from God. Even though I am a gentile, if I have received Christ I am an heir of King Jesus...wow can it get any better? Then this verse tells us to rejoice in our labor. Think on that! Are you rejoicing that you have a job to go to this morning? You should be! Many would like to be in your shoes!
These are gifts of God! Rejoice this morning in the kindness of our God! Praise the Lord!
Tom
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Graduation day!
Well here in Waverly, today is graduation day for our High School seniors. Today is a great deal of excitement for the graduates and for me too. I am so very proud of what these kids have accomplished. But yet today is a sad day for me too. I have been with many of these kids from middle school all they way through high school and as they move on to college and jobs it feels as though a part of me is moving on too. I also have a nephew, Wes, in Michigan who will be graduating soon. What an awesome young man he has turned out to be. God has blessed me so much with the seniors of Waverly and my nephew.
As I was thinking about these seniors I asked myself what scripture would I share with them. God brought to me these scriptures:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New King James Version)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
These scriptures are the ingredients of a successful life. #1 Trust in the Lord with all your heart! Remember God says ALL not half or a quarter. God wants you to totally trust Him with all of your heart. Have you done that? #2 Lean not on your own understanding. This is so very important. As you move onto college and work, many people are going to influence you. Many times we get to a point where we think we know more than God! Don't trust your own or others opinions...trust God and His Word ONLY!!! If it doesn't agree with what the Word says...run from it!!!! #3 In everything acknowledge God. You will have great times....give God the glory. You will have bad times praise God for seeing through them! #4 If you do these things God will direct your paths. Their is nobody else you want guiding your path than God. He wants to guide you but you must put Him in the drivers seat!
Class of 2011.....you change the world. If you put God first and follow Jesus you WILL change the world. I will always be here for you and I love you more than you will ever know. Thank you for being a part of my life!
Tom
As I was thinking about these seniors I asked myself what scripture would I share with them. God brought to me these scriptures:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New King James Version)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
These scriptures are the ingredients of a successful life. #1 Trust in the Lord with all your heart! Remember God says ALL not half or a quarter. God wants you to totally trust Him with all of your heart. Have you done that? #2 Lean not on your own understanding. This is so very important. As you move onto college and work, many people are going to influence you. Many times we get to a point where we think we know more than God! Don't trust your own or others opinions...trust God and His Word ONLY!!! If it doesn't agree with what the Word says...run from it!!!! #3 In everything acknowledge God. You will have great times....give God the glory. You will have bad times praise God for seeing through them! #4 If you do these things God will direct your paths. Their is nobody else you want guiding your path than God. He wants to guide you but you must put Him in the drivers seat!
Class of 2011.....you change the world. If you put God first and follow Jesus you WILL change the world. I will always be here for you and I love you more than you will ever know. Thank you for being a part of my life!
Tom
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Do you have enough?
This verse mad me do some thinking this morning:
Ecclesiastes 5:10
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
Do you have enough money? The first response of most of us would be "NO I don't have enough money!" We always seem to think that we need more. I read some statistics recently that said everyone up to those who made 5 million dollars did not think they were rich and thought they needed more money! Wow. Did you know if you have a job, a car, house, and food on the table you are in the top 4% of richest people in the world? God 's Word tells us to be content in what ever situation we are in:
Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
God also warns that riches brings difficulties:
Matthew 19:24
And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Do we really need more temptation in our lives??? Money brings problems!
As the verse in Ecclesiastes above tells us money does not bring happiness. True happiness is found in Jesus and following Him in truth and love. Nothing I repeat nothing brings more satisfaction in life than serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for that is why we were made!!!
Think a little on this today...it is worth your time!
Tom
Ecclesiastes 5:10
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
Do you have enough money? The first response of most of us would be "NO I don't have enough money!" We always seem to think that we need more. I read some statistics recently that said everyone up to those who made 5 million dollars did not think they were rich and thought they needed more money! Wow. Did you know if you have a job, a car, house, and food on the table you are in the top 4% of richest people in the world? God 's Word tells us to be content in what ever situation we are in:
Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
God also warns that riches brings difficulties:
Matthew 19:24
And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Do we really need more temptation in our lives??? Money brings problems!
As the verse in Ecclesiastes above tells us money does not bring happiness. True happiness is found in Jesus and following Him in truth and love. Nothing I repeat nothing brings more satisfaction in life than serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for that is why we were made!!!
Think a little on this today...it is worth your time!
Tom
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
How in the world???
How in the world did we ever get away from this Word from God?
Exodus 20:9-10
9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.
God is pretty clear in His w Word here that six days we are suppose to do all our work. God expects us to work that is clear. Then we see a "but" in verse 10. We are to take a Sabbath day. Why? Because it is of the Lord our God! He desires all our worship and attention. If God rested on the seventh day how much more should we???? He commands us to do this it is not an option! Some where along the line we decided making money was more important than this Word from God. Shame on us! Our society uses this day for everything except the worship of God...is it any wonder why our country is going downhill fast?
So look at your life this morning and ask yourself....am I observing the Sabbath in the way that God intended?? If you are praise the Lord....if you are not then make the changes that are needed!
Tom
Exodus 20:9-10
9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.
God is pretty clear in His w Word here that six days we are suppose to do all our work. God expects us to work that is clear. Then we see a "but" in verse 10. We are to take a Sabbath day. Why? Because it is of the Lord our God! He desires all our worship and attention. If God rested on the seventh day how much more should we???? He commands us to do this it is not an option! Some where along the line we decided making money was more important than this Word from God. Shame on us! Our society uses this day for everything except the worship of God...is it any wonder why our country is going downhill fast?
So look at your life this morning and ask yourself....am I observing the Sabbath in the way that God intended?? If you are praise the Lord....if you are not then make the changes that are needed!
Tom
Monday, May 16, 2011
Rest?????
As you step out into another Monday, check out these verses:
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
When is the last time you truly had rest? That is a great question isn't it? With all the craziness of our lives today...school, children, work, church, and the list goes on and on...it is hard to find rest! These verse give us the key to finding rest. Come to Jesus. Wow that sounds to easy doesn't it? But it is true. Jesus tells us straight forward..."Come to Me". When is the last time you turned everything over to Jesus. I mean truly just let go of everything and said "Here ya go Jesus it is in your hands now." Jesus tells us "for those who labor". You have a hard job? Have you turned it over to Jesus and worked for Him and not yourself? It will make a major difference if you do. What about heavy laden? Are you covered up with the pressures of life? Give them to Jesus it is amazing what weight Jesus can take off your shoulders. In verse 29 Jesus says "take His yolk and learn from Him". Jesus always went to the father and gained all His strength from Him....that made his yolk so much easier to carry and it will yours too!When we humble ourselves (lowly in heart) and treat others with compassion (gentle) it will give rest to our souls because then we are being Christlike! When we are Christlike we have a promise straight from Jesus....His yolk will be easy and His burdens will be light compared to the weight of the world!
What a great Word from God this morning....turn it over to Jesus and get some rest!
Tom
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
When is the last time you truly had rest? That is a great question isn't it? With all the craziness of our lives today...school, children, work, church, and the list goes on and on...it is hard to find rest! These verse give us the key to finding rest. Come to Jesus. Wow that sounds to easy doesn't it? But it is true. Jesus tells us straight forward..."Come to Me". When is the last time you turned everything over to Jesus. I mean truly just let go of everything and said "Here ya go Jesus it is in your hands now." Jesus tells us "for those who labor". You have a hard job? Have you turned it over to Jesus and worked for Him and not yourself? It will make a major difference if you do. What about heavy laden? Are you covered up with the pressures of life? Give them to Jesus it is amazing what weight Jesus can take off your shoulders. In verse 29 Jesus says "take His yolk and learn from Him". Jesus always went to the father and gained all His strength from Him....that made his yolk so much easier to carry and it will yours too!When we humble ourselves (lowly in heart) and treat others with compassion (gentle) it will give rest to our souls because then we are being Christlike! When we are Christlike we have a promise straight from Jesus....His yolk will be easy and His burdens will be light compared to the weight of the world!
What a great Word from God this morning....turn it over to Jesus and get some rest!
Tom
Thursday, May 12, 2011
How are you using your time?
This is a great couple of verses to think about this morning:
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
As you get ready to start out your day today it would be wise to plan your steps as best as you can. God's Word tells us here to be wise in how we walk and spend our time! Have you thought about how you are spending your time recently? Our time should be spent as much as possible in reaching the world for Christ. One way to do that is by watching how we walk...or how we live our lives for we should be good examples to others in our walk with Christ. Then the Word goes on to say to make the best of out time! Wow I must say I can do better at this. Do you make the best use of your time for the Lord everyday? Then the Word says "because the days are evil". What that tells me is the devil wants us to use our time unwisely and on things that are not honoring to the Lord! Verse 17 then tells us not to be foolish and understand what God's will is and then do it! When we are doing the will of God in our lives we will be using our time in a wise manner.
So we can sum this up like this....are you spending your time wisely and for the Lord or are you spending it foolishly and for the devil???
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
As you get ready to start out your day today it would be wise to plan your steps as best as you can. God's Word tells us here to be wise in how we walk and spend our time! Have you thought about how you are spending your time recently? Our time should be spent as much as possible in reaching the world for Christ. One way to do that is by watching how we walk...or how we live our lives for we should be good examples to others in our walk with Christ. Then the Word goes on to say to make the best of out time! Wow I must say I can do better at this. Do you make the best use of your time for the Lord everyday? Then the Word says "because the days are evil". What that tells me is the devil wants us to use our time unwisely and on things that are not honoring to the Lord! Verse 17 then tells us not to be foolish and understand what God's will is and then do it! When we are doing the will of God in our lives we will be using our time in a wise manner.
So we can sum this up like this....are you spending your time wisely and for the Lord or are you spending it foolishly and for the devil???
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Where are you entering?
These verses always make me do some thinking:
Matthew 7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
Look at the first sentence in these verses. Jesus tells us point blank...."Enter by the narrow gate." It can't be any more simple put than that. Jesus then goes on to tell us the way that leads to hell. The wide gate. In other words the gate that the majority are taking. Jesus tells us many are entering this gate. I am reading a book called "Weird" by Craig Groeschel. In this book it talks about how compared to the world Christians should be weird. That goes right along with these verses in Matthew. To stay on the narrow way we must be different or weird compared to the rest of the world because the ways of God are contrary to the ways of the world! Jesus then goes on to say that going into the narrow gate is hard! It is not easy to stay on the narrow path! We must always be focusing on the ways of God and obeying His Word and as you already know being faithful is very hard! That is why Jesus tells us there are few who find it! Think about that for a moment!
So this morning take some time to think about what gate you are going through...is it the wide or the narrow?
Tom
Matthew 7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
Look at the first sentence in these verses. Jesus tells us point blank...."Enter by the narrow gate." It can't be any more simple put than that. Jesus then goes on to tell us the way that leads to hell. The wide gate. In other words the gate that the majority are taking. Jesus tells us many are entering this gate. I am reading a book called "Weird" by Craig Groeschel. In this book it talks about how compared to the world Christians should be weird. That goes right along with these verses in Matthew. To stay on the narrow way we must be different or weird compared to the rest of the world because the ways of God are contrary to the ways of the world! Jesus then goes on to say that going into the narrow gate is hard! It is not easy to stay on the narrow path! We must always be focusing on the ways of God and obeying His Word and as you already know being faithful is very hard! That is why Jesus tells us there are few who find it! Think about that for a moment!
So this morning take some time to think about what gate you are going through...is it the wide or the narrow?
Tom
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