Whet The Appetite

     I was surprised this morning when I opened my back door to see several deer still feeding on corn which had been sprinkled on the the ground.  Usually any small noise or sound of the squeaky door hinges will cause the deer to spring into action and jump quickly out of sight.   But not this morning.  They were too concerned with whetting their appetites to worry about anyone watching.
     I paused to consider how concerned I am when I am feeding my sin appetite to stop and think about who may be watching and what effect that may have on them.

Luke 17:1  "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. "

A Real Christian

     While reading "When I Relax I Feel Guilty" by Tim Hansel, I came across a quote by A. W.Tozer.  Since it is struck me as unusual but true, I decided to share it.

"A real Christian is an odd number, anyway.  He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen; talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest; richest when he is poorest and happiest when he feels the worst.  He dies so he can live; forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible; hears the imaudible; and knows that which passeth knowledge."

How many of us can say we are "real Christians" daily or do we admit to being "almost" Christians?

God's Promises

     According to an unknown writer, I am given 54 promises which God made to me.  These, as quoted by him and followed by supporting scripture, are as follows:

1.  ...for the Lord my God will be with me, wherever I go. Joshua 1:9
2.  God will keep me in perfect peace if my mind is 'stayed' on Him.  Isaiah 26:3
3.   I (the Lord) will never leave you or forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5
4.   I am with you, always, to the end of the age."  Matthew 28:20
5.  The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7
6.  He cares for me.  1 Peter 5:7
7.  I will do even greater things than Jesus did, because He went to the Father.  John 14:12
8.  If I remain in Him and his words remain in me, whatever I ask will be given to me.  John 15:7
9.  The Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth.  John 16:3
10. The Holy Spirit will give me the right words when I need them.  Mark 13:11
11.  In this world I will have trouble.  John 16:33
12. If I seek to live godly in Christ Jesus, I will be persecuted.  2 Timothy 3:12
13. I am justified by Him, freely, by His grace.  Romans 3:24
14. I have peace with god because I've been justified by faith in Jesus.  Romans 5:1
15. I have access into this grace.  Romans 5:2
16. There is no condemnation on me because I am in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:1
17. The Holy Spirit will help me to pray.  Romans 8:26-27
18. All things work together for my good.  Romans 8:28
19. Nothing will separate me from the love of Christ.  Romans 8:35
20. I shall bear the likeness (and resurrection body) of Jesus, the 'man from heaven.' 1 Corinthians 15:49
21. My labor in the Lord is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15:58
22. God has created good works for me to walk in, today.  Ephesians 2:10
23. I am being transformed into His likeness.  2 Corinthians 3:17
24. God won't let me be tried or tempted beyond what I can endure.  1 Corinthians 10:13
25. God comforts the downcast, including me.  2 Corinthians 7:6
26. God is able to make all grace abound to me, so all my needs will be met.  2 Corinthians 9:8
27. I am worth (to God) more than the birds that He feeds.  Matthew 6:26
28. God will supply all my needs.  Philippians 4:19
29. God won't forsake me (the righteous in Christ) nor have my children become beggars. Psalm 37:25
30. God's grace will be sufficient for me.  2 Corinthians 12:9
31. I will reap what I sow.  Galatians 6:7
32. I have an inheritance.  Ephesians 1:14
33. I have been brought near by the blood of Jesus.  Ephesians 3:12
34. I may approach God with freedom and confidence.  Ephesians 3:12
35. The Father has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints.  Colossians 1:12
36. Christ now is in me!  Colossians 1:27
37. God is faithful and will sanctify me.  1 Thessalonians 5:24
38. God will repay with trouble those who trouble me.  2 Thessalonians 1:6
39. God has given me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7
40. I have a crown of righteousness awaiting me, because I long for His appearing.  2 Timothy 4:8
41. God won't lie to me, because God cannot lie.  Titus 1:2
42. Jesus will help me if I'm tempted.  Hebrews 2:18
43. Varied trials will lead to my maturity.  James 1:2
44. If I ask for wisdom from God, He will give it to me.  James 1:5
45. If I ask, God will provide it.  James 4:2
46. If I resist the devil, he will take a hike.  James 4:7
47. If I draw near to God, He will draw near to me.  James 4:8
48. Prayer is effective.  James 5:16
49. After i have suffered for a little while, He will strengthen, confirm and establish me.  1 Peter 5:10
50. A new heaven and earth await me, called the 'home of righteousness'. 2 Peter 3:13
51. He forgives and cleanses me as I confess my sins to Him.  1 John 1:9
52. When Jesus re-appears, I'll be made like Him.  1 john 3:2
53. God has given me eternal life. 1 John 5:11
54. I am a present possessor of eternal life, which is mine in the present tense verb "have."  1 John 5:13

The writer further states, "If you are in Christ, and He is in you, these staggering promises are all yours!  You have inestimable wealth - not the silly kind of mansions and money, yachts, and luxury cars - but the wealth of the presence, power, purpose, and promises of the eternal God, made known to us in Jesus. and sealed with the comforting Holy Spirit.  You and I are wealthy, indeed!"

Hummingbirds

     As I was enjoying my morning coffee, I was beginning to get exhausted watching four hummingbirds dive, dodge, and chase each other.  I was amused at how they were so intense on protecting their territory that they could not even stop long enough to taste the fresh sugar water specially prepared for them.
     Is that the way we humans react also?  We are so busy taking care of "our" territory that we forget God is the One who prepares the way.  Do we forget to take the time to savor the sweet water prepared for us?   Do we forget to be content with what is prepared only for us?

Ecclesiastes 4:8   "...There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth..." 

I Can Only Imagine

     There are some things in life in which we can only imagine!  I, for one, am not courageous, not strong in character, and rather slow to react.  I don't believe I would ever be a "hero".
     When I consider what Christ did for me on the cross, I cannot even begin to imagine.  I can project all day long, but can I really imagine the event that truly took place.

I Can Only Imagine

I can only imagine the scene.

The silence at the base of the cross; 

The chill of death from a life that once had been.

All should have been quiet; 

Knees bowed and humbled. 

A difference from the crowd's previous riot. 

I can only imagine!

The sadness of Jesus hanging there. 

No sound - no noise - only weeping tears.

A life given, laden with heavy burdens to bear.

There should have been a stillness,

A weeping crowd

From all those standing in witness. 

I can only imagine!

The Cross, 

A nail-pierced body; 

Such pain and loss.

The blood puddling at His feet,

A love from Him, so sweet.  

I can only imagine!

                                                                                        Mary Crisp Jameson

Being Satisfied in Jesus

A few days ago I talked about being satisfied and from where my satisfaction comes.  Today, I am going a bit further with scripture application.

Seek Jesus  --  Matthew 6:33 " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Accept Jesus through belief  --  Mark 9:23  "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

Thirst after Jesus and His righteousness  --  Matthew 5:6  "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. "

Indulge in prayer with Jesus  --  Matthew 21:22  "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Savor time with Jesus and In His Word  --  James 4:8   "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

Find Time for Jesus  --  Psalm 42:8  "Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life."

Alter the daily schedule for Jesus  --  Proverbs 8:34  "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."

Choose Jesus first  --   Joshua 24:15a   "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; ..."

Trust in Jesus  --  Proverbs 3:5-6  "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. "

Imitate the ways of Jesus  --  1 Corinthians 11:3    ^"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."

Open your heart to Jesus  --  Matthew 6:21  "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. "

Nourish your soul on Jesus --  Psalm 33:20  "Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield."

Satisfaction

     I have written several times about how important it is to avoid the use of credit cards in order to financially save.  What is it about the problems with our spending habits?  I believe a lot of it has to do with being satisfied.  In my own life, I feel energy and excitement when I make a new purchase of some special kind only to turn around a few days later wishing or longing for something else.  I am never satisfied for long.   My excitement over a new car, a new piece of jewelry, a new dress or whatever it is soon disappears.

      This being said, the only satisfaction that endures the test of time is satisfaction in Jesus.  Once we find satisfaction in Jesus and maintain it daily and hourly then our desires for material possessions fade.

S eek Jesus

A ccept Jesus through belief

T hirst after Jesus and His righteousness

I ndulge in prayer with Jesus

S avor time with Jesus and in His Word

F ind time for Jesus

A lter your daily schedule for Jesus

C hoose Jesus first

T rust in Jesus

I mitate the ways of Jesus   

O pen your heart to Jesus

N ourish your soul on Jesus