Thanksgiving Friday!

It's been an exciting week! I'm thankful for the boys' winning their game, and our possibility to win state. I'm thankful for the spring-like temps that have been visiting the Chicagoland area. I'm thankful to be alive to enjoy this wonderful world.

It's faith in God that makes us thankful. Knowing that God has a hand in the amazing life we live causes us to open our mouths in praise. And when the Lord hears our gratitude and gratefulness, He is all the more inclined to give us more.

When one of the lepers saw that he was cleansed by Jesus, He turned back and gave God praise. Jesus saw the man's act of thankfulness, and told him that his faith had made him whole. (Luke 17:19)

There were nine other lepers who got cleansed that same day. They still walked away with their physical healing. But the one man who turned back and rightfully praised the One who made it possible - he received healing in every area of his life. He was made complete. He was fully delivered.

Make sure you are keeping up your attitude of thankfulness. Don't forget to give proper praise to the One who's making it all possible. It's one thing to be blessed here and there. It's another thing to be blessed in every area of your life!

Have a great weekend!

Verse of the Day: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Luke 17:15-19

Prayer Covering

Every day, I read through the blogs and websites to get my daily dose of news. I also make a point to check out the Christian websites to get a sense of what's going on in our community. This morning I was just shaking my head as I was reading about some of the things our churches are facing both from the world and their own pews.

Being a PK (Pastor's Kid) I always think about the leadership. And I had to say a quick prayer for some of the leaders of the churches I was reading about. Then I said a prayer over my own leader asking God to strengthen him as well.

God has provided us leaders to watch over our souls and guide us in the faith. They are human beings just like us, however. They are subject to temptation, they have to deal with sin, and they have inward struggles just like we do.

You know how difficult it can be just keeping yourself in check. Imagine if you had to watch over a whole church! Our leaders are truly a gift from God. We, as their followers, should make sure that we are keeping them covered in prayer and doing what we can to make their job easy.

Too many leaders fall prey to the enticement of the enemy. Pride, fame, greed, and sin snare up too many leaders who could not stand strong. And the enemy loves to exploit their downfall.

There are countless others who are working diligently, day in and day out, doing their job in an excellent manner and staying true to the Word of God.

I pray that you are part of a ministry that is led by one of God's men/women of integrity. If you are, make sure you are consistently covering them in prayer. Pray that they remain strong in their calling. Pray that sin does not enter into their lives. Pray that they keep in constant communication with the Lord. Pray that they are bold enough to do what God is asking of them.

Even Jesus needed the prayers of the disciples when He was about to go to the cross. You don't know what your leader has to face or what is challenging them right now. The Holy Spirit does know. And your prayers can make a difference.

Verse of the Day: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15

Afternoon Ti: JoyFULL!

Our boys' basketball team is going to STATE! So excited over here. And it's been a flurry of activity, so I apologize for posting late today. But, life is good!

Since I'm feeling good today, let's keep on talking about joy.

Jesus told us that He came so that our joy may be full. Joy is different than happiness. Happiness is an emotion that comes and goes. Happiness can fade at the drop of a dime. Happiness is contingent on outside factors.

But joy transcends happiness. Joy is something that emanates from within. Joy is a state of the mind and heart. Joy is not influenced by outside factors.

Joy is the reason why Paul and Silas were able to sing at midnight in the jail cell. Joy caused the apostles to keep on preaching the gospel in the face of adversity. Joy gave David the strength to dance for hours with the return of the ark of the covenant. Joy caused the Samaritan woman to go and tell her whole village about the goodness of Christ.

Have you tapped into your joy in the Lord lately? Have you allowed the greatness of God to transform your heart to the place where nothing shakes you? Do you have joy no matter what circumstance you're facing?

If you're not experiencing joy, take some time to go before God and ask Him to rekindle your joy. Remind yourself of His greatness, love and magnificence. Think of how much He's done for you, and remember your great prize in obtaining salvation. You have a reason to be full of joy! Don't miss out on it!

Verse of the Day: These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11

Choosing Joy

This morning the devil tried.

He tried to steal my joy. I had to force myself to roll out of bed this morning. I was dragging myself around trying to get my responsibilities accomplished.

Then, someone went flat out lied to my face. And you all already know that I can't stand a liar. I had to stand there and count to ten just to keep my mouth closed. I was fuming walking back to my office when one of my co-workers stopped me as I was walking past. She said I looked sad and needed a hug. When she hugged me I started laughing, and I felt myself calming down.

Instead of going into my office to stew and fume, I went in and had a talk with God instead. I sat at my desk and remembered that the joy of the Lord is my strength. I said a prayer and let the Father minister His love, joy and strength to me.

I feel better.

I'm grateful for that small act of love that my co-worker gave me. I'm thankful for the reminder that even the smallest gesture can make a huge impact on someone. I'm glad that there is always a bigger picture, a greater plan, and something more important. The little things come and go. The Kingdom is forever.

So, now I'm going to pay it forward and perform an act of love for someone else. I'm not going to get worked up over little things and let them ruin my joy in Christ. I choose joy! I choose to stay joyful.

Verse of the Day: ...neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b

Positioned for the Promise

Yesterday, our pastor preached about preparing for the promise of God.

When Jesus left the disciples, he told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Comforter. (Acts 1:4) The disciples obeyed Jesus, and waited.

But the disciples didn't just sit around twiddling their thumbs and hemming and hawing. They waited in prayer. They were talking to God continually keeping the line of communication open for God to speak and move. (Acts 1:14) And the instant God was ready to move, He had an open pathway and was able to impart the promise at once. (Acts 2:2)

So, how are you waiting on God's promise for you? Are you just sitting around waiting for your promise to just show up? Are you just letting the days slip by until God chooses to move?

Or, are you actively talking with your Heavenly Father? Are you staying before Him in continual prayer. If He chose to drop in and deliver your promise, are you even ready to receive it? Have you positioned yourself to receive from the Lord?

Don't just put the promises of God to the side as "something nice" that will happen "one day." Make sure that you are actively praying and keeping the lines of communication open with the Lord. He may want to move but is trying to talk to you first.

God has your promise, but you have to make sure you're positioned to receive it!

Verse of the Day: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

Thanksgiving Friday!

Today I'm giving God praise for the wonderful weather we've been having. I'm grateful that our boys' basketball team is still in the running to go down to state. (Go Sting!) I'm glad that I have people who love me and bring joy to my life.

This morning I was laying in bed just thinking about my day before I had to get up and face it. I am really blessed. When I look over everything that is a part of my world, I am truly blessed beyond measure.

Lord, I thank you for giving me life and that more abundantly. I thank you for loving me so much and showing that love in ways that I could never have imagined. I give you praise that I have an exceptional purpose, destiny, and call in you. Thank you, Lord for giving me a reason to live! Thank you Jesus for making it possible for me to be made whole again.

My heart is overflowing with gratefulness. My mind can't fathom the depths of Christ's love. It's so deep and wide and encompassing! God is good.

Make sure you send up some thanksgiving today.

Verse of the Day: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  Psalm 100:4

My God is Great!

One thing I've learned is that people love to brag about other people they are proud of. From proud parents to friends (even associates) of someone who has done something notable, everyone loves to talk about their connection to someone they think is great.

Usually when someone boasts on others, it causes the other person to acknowledge the greatness in the person receiving praise and sparks an interest in that human being.

David said that he boasted on God. He bragged on the greatness of the One who was ordering his footsteps. And as a result of that, David was able to bring joy into the lives of those around him.

Have you boasted on God lately?

Boasting on God is not just talking about what He's done for you. Boasting on God is talking about how great He is, how powerful He is, how loving He is... Hearing about the One who can do anything can make just about anyone sit up and take notice.

So, today, let's make sure we take some time to brag on our God to someone else. Let's lift up our God just because He's God. As we open up our mouths and praise our Father, we will be bringing some joy into the lives of those around us.

Verse of the Day: My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Psalm 34:2