That Was Easy!

Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. (NKJV)

I begin each morning in this order – - coffee, devotional reading from the Daily Bread, Bible reading and then prayer.

My prayer today was that I please God in thought, word and deed. Nothing to it, or ‘That was easy’, as a certain company jingle tells us.

Next I sit at my computer, ready to read newly arrived emails. And I sit. And sit And – - “come on computer, don’t start my day working at a snail’s pace. I’m not sitting here to waste time”. My, that was easy – I’ve blown my good intentions already and the day has just begun.

“Whoops, Lord – sorry. It didn’t take much for me to forget”.

How easy it is to plan our day, and how easy it is to allow distractions to destroy them.

Prayer: Help us focus on what is good today. Let us follow Your directions so, at the end of our day, we end our day knowing we have done our very best, in all ways. Let us then justly claim that ‘that was easy’. Amen.

Seeing is Believing

Jesus was crucified. He was buried. He rose again on the third day, as was prophesied. He was alive and well, after the horrors of flogging, rejection and crucifixion.

It would be easy to doubt His resurrection. It is not usual for anyone to come back from death. Yet, Jesus did. It is not only written about; there are also eye-witness accounts.

He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve (Apostles). After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me (Paul) also …. (1 Corinthians 15:6-7)

So, who are we to doubt? Faith is believing in someone greater than ourselves. It is to believe the promises written about in the Bible. God – promises us that the Bible contains the absolute truth on how to behave, how to trust and how to live.

When there is nothing in your life worth a cent, putting your trust in God and in His written (God-breathed) words, can often be the difference between a life worth living and one of unspeakable heartbreak.

Jesus lived for us. He died for us. He lives for, and waits, for us to follow Him.

Choose life!

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (NKJV)

Doubting Thomas!

Are you a doubting Thomas? Do you only believe what you can actually see with your own eyes?

Holy Week is not about chocolate, bunnies and eggs. It is about the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus – for us all.

He was wholly human and some days was sad, just as we can be. He was real and He suffered rejection, hatred and brutality. He was crucified. Buried. Rose from that death. Many did not believe it was Him. Many, even now, disbelieve the credibility of this historical fact.

Thomas was skeptical of the disciple’s and peoples’ reports, that they had seen Jesus – alive and well.

“Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe”. John 20:25

After eight days His disciples were gathered and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, and stood in their midst, saying “Peace to you”. Then to Thomas He said, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing”. And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and My God”. (John 20:26)

So how about you? Will you only believe when you actually see Him? It’ll be too late to choose Him then, because He will not know you.

Choose Jesus now. He is just waiting for you to decide.

Don’t be a doubting Thomas.

Jesus come in to my heart and soul. I need You. Forgive my unbelief and help me to start again. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

The Name of Jesus

During prayer time, this morning, a beautiful song kept invading my thoughts. Perhaps my words were not what He wanted to hear; although first thing in the morning, they are more pleasant than my singing. However, the tune stayed with me and I had to find the words. I needed to know if there was a message for me or one that I could share.

My conclusion is – - I do not know. The only thing left for me to do, is to print the words here. Perhaps, somebody else needs to know about the power and grace of Jesus Christ.

YOUR NAME

As morning dawns and evening fades,
You inspire songs of praise,
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
And glorify Your Name.

Your name is a strong and mighty tower,
Your name is a shelter like no other.
Your name let the nations sing it louder,
Cause nothing has the power to save,
But Your name.

Jesus in Your name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today.
Lord give us strength to live for You,
And glorify Your name.

What beautiful words. I hope your spirit has been calmed by them, and I hope you trust your life to Jesus and His redeeming grace.

So, whatever else we do today, let us Live for Truth. Live in truth. Stand for truth. Speak the truth.

Prayer: In all our ways, our words and our actions, let us honor You and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

http://pattersmatters.wordpress.com

Novel – A Stolen Childhood, Eleanor’s Story coming soon

The Storms of Life

When life deals you one crisis after another, it can be very easy to succumb to defeat.

Our energy levels diminish and it is all we can do to get up in the morning. Once risen, we stumble through the day not sure how we can stay the course to reach the end of the day.

In between, we accomplish nothing of value thus setting the stage for depression. We feel weary and unworthy of anyone’s time or attention and begin to withdraw into a dark place. It is a place where joy has died and anxiety rules. It is a destructive, selfish place where pity-parties gain control, bringing our lives to a full stop.

When this happens, we need to reach out to others – not withdraw.
We need to be thankful for all that we have – not keep wanting more. We need to help others and we do this, our own needs and expectations take a back seat as willing service for or to someone else, begins to grow joy in our own lives.

Life storms come and go. Some of us will flounder while others overcome the battering of the emotional and spiritual waves. Taking control of our thoughts and actions can and will take us to a better place, once we rely on God’s guidance. He will always steer us in the right direction and place our feet on solid ground.

Matthew 8:25-27 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

If wind and wave can obey Jesus, why can’t we? Why is it so hard for us to trust God, choosing instead to live life our own way?

Storms will come and go, but once we allow God to control our lives we can always find a safe haven. We can always find peace.

Prayer: Abba, we tend to want to control everything in our lives. We complain about the crisis points of our lives, never thinking to come to You and hand over our stuff. Please help us to be willing to hand it all to You as we strive for a better way to live. Amen

Once we do this – can we find quiet in our storms? I know we can, but we have to be willing to let go – then let God guide us in all our ways.

Easier said than done – but so worth it!

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DO NOT WORRY

Calm amid the Storm

2 Corinthians 12:9 ..My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness”. (NKJV)

Ahh: Worry. Some folk worry even when there is nothing for them to worry about. They are concerned that they won’t be equipped, or ready, to handle the next crisis in their lives.

I’ve heard that, “Worry is like a rocking chair – it is always in motion but never gets you anywhere”. (Excerpt taken from Barrie Free Methodist Church book of devotionals for Lent. Day 9)

We tend to concern ourselves with everything. Not that it is a bad thing, because we need to be able to cope in all situations, but to constantly focus on the negatives in life, will inevitably attract more of the same. So what is the solution?

Well, one very powerful way is to lean on God, and commit (or give) everything to Him: not trying to “go it alone”.

There are many passages in the Bible to encourage us in this.

Matthew 6:31-34 tells us: To not worry about what we will eat, or drink, or wear. God knows that we need all these basics, so we should concentrate more on the kingdom of God: that is – our eternal or spiritual life, for when we do that all our other needs will be met. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be taken care of”.

We are, therefore, to take one day, one moment at a time and trust God for everything. Worry accomplishes nothing but more worry.

So Lord, help us to follow You. To trust You and lean on You in the good times, as well as the bad times. Let us trust that Your grace is sufficient for each of us, as we give our daily concerns to You. Keep us away from the rocking chairs in our lives, and lead us in Your way. Amen

A God Moment

The Sun Returns

Sitting quietly in prayer, I ask – ‘Lord, help me to be the best that I can be for You today’.

I then busy myself, checking email messages. As I do this a box pops up on the screen. “What is this?” I wonder. “I didn’t hit any keys”, but as I look I realize it says, ‘Request Wisdom to Know’. “Excuse me”? “What is that?”

Curious, I open the box and then see that it was an old message; one where I had sent a request for a particular book, in order to write a review.

Silly me! Sometimes, attention can be captured unexpectedly and at very opportune moments. In this instance, I felt it could very well have been God letting me know, He had received my prayer and He responded in a way that certainly got my attention.

A God moment! I love when that happens. There is no explanation as to why this message suddenly appeared – I only know that the wording hit home in a profoundly reassuring way.

Be blessed.

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What Is Church?

I have taken this message from The Daily Bread. It is an excellent message, written by John Stuart. Thank you, John, for your uplifting visionary words.

Luke 13:18-19 – Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” (NIV)

I find it amazing to think that Christianity is actually the world’s largest faith. About one-third of our planet’s population is connected to Christ, and each year, that number is growing all over the earth. Beginning on a hillside in Galilee two thousand years ago with just a couple of hundred followers, Christ’s ministry has expanded and increased throughout the centuries. In every nation on this planet, there is a Christian community. The gospel has been preached in every corner on earth. The mustard seed of God’s kingdom, which was planted so long ago, now has people of every nation living in its branches. There are currently more Christians on earth than at any other time in humankind’s history. Christ’s life, work, and ministry continue to grow. It is a faith that cannot be stopped; it is a teaching that cannot be curtailed.

Churches are springing up everywhere. Old buildings may be closing, but new fellowships of faith are being planted. Christ’s mission never stops, and despite what western media or anti-religious groups express about the decline of Christianity, the numbers across the world prove them to be false prophets. Western Christianity is being transformed, and a rebirth of faith is being experienced. The church changes as each century comes and goes, but one thing remains constant: Christ’s people are growing numerically and spiritually across this planet in every generation.

Sometimes, we western Christians get downhearted about declining congregational numbers and moral standards of society. We get hung up on finances and money instead of being inspired by faith and mission. All that we are negatively experiencing are the birth pangs of a new twenty-first-century church. Christ will not let His people down; Christ will not let His mission die.

So let’s rejoice, because throughout the earth, more people will be brought closer to Christ today and give their hearts to His kingdom.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your work on earth continues each day, and new souls are saved for Your kingdom. Thank You for allowing us to be a part of Your great commission. Help us to reach out to other people in charitable and cheerful ways, so that they may also be drawn closer to You. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

How Will I Know?

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. (NKJV)

The media has shown over the years, people who have predicted the end of the world. We’re still here to proclaim them as eccentric. It is sad, because they affect the integrity of the truth of the Bible. Believers in Christ are not fooled. In fact, the Bible is clear – we will not know the time or date of the end of the world. So why would anyone, with wisdom, fool themselves and try to delude others by declaring that they do? We are to choose to have faith in God and believe in Jesus Christ as His son and our risen Savior.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. (NKJV)

The Bible gives us clear direction on this. In Matthew 24:4-7
And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. (NKJV)

We are called to trust in, and believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Faith is to trust the words of the Bible. They are God-breathed. They are not of man. Yet, thousands still choose to follow their own passions. Many choose another God. Time will tell whether we have chosen wisely. For some the end will be a time of celebration, while for others it will prove to be a time of great mourning. The sad fact is that by then it will be too late to change direction.

Matthew 24:29-30 Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (NKJV)

My Blogs:

http://pattersmatters.wordpress.com

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

My devotionals can be read on:
http://www.devotionalchristian.com
http://www.underthecoverofprayer.com
http://www.presbycan.org (search – daily devotionals)

Many Were Baptized

At our church yesterday, ten people dedicated their lives to God, by being baptized.

A public proclamation that God is now the controller of their lives. They no longer want ‘to do’ life their own way, nor do they want to conform to the ways of the world.

It was a public announcement that they have chosen to be like Jesus, and want to change their ways – - or at least – - have decided to follow a different path in life. It doesn’t make life all rosy, but it does give each one an inner strength and peace that unbelievers cannot understand or experience.

Trusting the One and Only unseen God truly does make a difference to your life, but unless you are willing to change and trust His way – nothing I say will convince you to live any other way. You will choose to stay where you are – - suffering all that you are dealing with, feeling all alone.

Psalm 121:1-3 you will find the God of help for those who seek Him….I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. (NKJV)

My Blogs –

http://pattersmatters.wordpress.com

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

See my devotionals at:
http://www.underthecoverofprayer.com
http://www.devotionalschristian.com
http://www.presbycan.ca (daily devotionals)

May God bless and keep you safe.