Value

Value is defined as "to regard the importance and worth and usefulness of something."  Usually when we value something we protect it dearly.
     I know of nothing more valuable than my relationship with the Father and my promised eternal life with Him.
     So, how do I protect it?  I strive to live a Christian walk.  I fellowship with Him daily and throughout the day.  In protecting this most valuable Asset, I also should share Him.  How?  I share Him through my speech, my words, and my actions.  I hold Him dearly to my heart for He is previous.  I am valuable to Him also.  He was oppressed, afflicted, a lamb led to the slaughter; all for me because of my rebellion and my iniquities.
     After His affliction, He not only left to prepare a home for me, but He sent the Holy Spirit to live within me and to guide me until I am prepared for His new haven.  I am valuable to Him and He is valuable to me.
     It is in protecting what is most valuable, my relationship with God, that I find:
V ictory in Jesus
A ll encompassing love
L ingering satisfaction
U ltimate peace
E ternal joy

The Here and Now

 Through life's battles, I have used the slogan, One Day At A Time, to get me through.  But as I was reading When I Relax I Feel Guilty, I developed a whole new understanding of the slogan and of life's expectations.  In the book it states, "God never gives strength for tomorrow or the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute."  I know that peace and happiness is found in the moment, not in tomorrow or in yesterday, and I do find that I am the happiest when I live in the moment; the here and now.

Pass It On!

     I have written about the many wonderful names of God from A to Z and posted about keeping His name holy and sacred, never using His name in vain.  Yet, there is something else that needs to be considered regarding His name.
     God wants us to use his name daily.  We are to call upon Him in times of thanksgiving, in times of need, and in times of praise.  His name is to be a "household name".  We are to pass His name around to our friends, our neighbors, and around the world.  We are not to keep His name a secret.  We need to "pass it on." 
     Let's consider some methods:

How:  Respectfully: Never in vain; Praiseworthy 
Exodus 20:7 (KJV) "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." 
When: Everyday 
Job 27:10 (NIV)  Will they find delight in the Almighty? Will they call on God at all times."

Where: Everywhere; Home, Neighborhoods, Workplace, Meetings, One on one
Psalms 76:1 (The Message) "God is well known in Judah, in Israel: He is a household name."
Why: To share the love of God; As Christians, We have a responsibility, We are told to do it.  So that whoever hears can be saved. 
Revelation 22:17 (ESV) "The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come."  And let the one who hears say, "Come."  And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price":




     

First Fruits

     I have discovered over the years that my husband is not fond of leftovers.  They are the crumbs from yesterday.  It is even more so with God.  He does not like our leftovers.  He does not want the crumbs from yesterday.  He wants the first fruits of  our labor. 
     Why, might you ask, do we need to first set aside our increase to God.  I believe most of us can easily answer that question.  If we don't set aside a portion first to God, we spend it on other things and then there is nothing left for God.  Amen!

Proverbs 3:9  "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase."