News you won't see in controlled mainstream media.

WISDOM PRAYER ~

James 1:1-8
~~~~
If any of you lacks
wisdom, let him ask
of God, who gives
to all liberally and
without reproach,
and it will be given to
him. -- James 1:5
----
The invitation to ask anything, anytime, anywhere mirrors God's call to all who follow Jesus: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach" (James 1:5). It is our heavenly Father's promise to provide the guidance we need, especially during trying times.

All we need is a sincere desire to follow God's direction and faith that His way is best. The Lord "gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty," so we can ask in faith without doubting (vv.5-6 PHILLIPS).

The Internet is a great place to find helpful information, but there is only one source of Divine Wisdom to direct our steps each day. The Father invites our sincere requests anytime, anywhere.--

My Lord is ever with me
Along Life's busy way;
I trust in Him completely
For guidance day by day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BE SMART---ASK FOR GOD'S WISDOM.

Our Daily Bread
Blessings, Abishag <><
-------------------------------------------
I ONCE WAS LOST BUT NOW I'M FOUND, WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE!

Ask For Gods Wisdom
Call to Me, and I will answer you.

Jeremiah 33:1
And the word of Jehovah was to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard, saying,
So says Jehovah the Maker of it, Jehovah who formed it in order to establish it; Jehovah is His name:
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and inscrutable things; you do not know them.

6: Behold, I will bring health and healing to it, and I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

Yes.. Be Smart-- Ask For Gods Wisdom
Smiles....

Whoever you are wherever you've been He's been there.

Praise Him.

--PEACE / A Tender Tranquility~~

--I wonder, how many burdens is Jesus carrying for us that we know nothing about? We're aware of some. He carries our sin. He carries our shame. He carries our eternal debt. But are there others? Has he lifted fears before we felt them? Has he carried our confusion so we wouldn't have to? Those times when we have been surprised by our own sense of peace?

-Could it be that Jesus has lifted our anxiety onto His shoulders and placed a yoke of His kindness on ours?

--A Love Worth Giving/ ML
-----
---A WISDOM PRAYER~~

'Oh, Lord God. We cannot know the end of a thing. We do not have certainty about the plans of our days. Forgive us when we try without consulting You. Forgive our blundering efforts to make something happen. We do love you, and we want to please You, but our lives are so caught in the things of this world. Help us, Lord.
Help us to know how much we need You. Help us to see the real value of eternal things. Give us a greater awareness of Your Holy Spirit. Give us a holy awe of Your Word. Drive us to our knees more often, Lord. Keep us close.

Oh, our Father, Purge us from ungodliness. Separate us from the sins that hinder and blind. Meet us in the halls of our heart and sanctify us there.

And then, Lord Jesus, embolden us for the work ahead. Provide our daily bread. Cleanse our sins and enrich our fellowship with the saints. Clothe us in the armor of God and place us where we must stand. Enable us to resist the enemy in the faith, see his strongholds crumble and his minions flee. Grant a fruitful harvest and an effective ministry, in Jesus' name. ~~Amen" + + +

--ICR/HMM -<http://youtu.be/AkRudaBidHc>

---JUST GIVE ME JESUS ~~

--BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2

--DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
--There was a man who had lived a long life with Jesus, and now he was dying.

His loved ones came to him and asked him to sign his name to a legal document. They said, "Daddy, if you would sign this, it would help us with a lot of legal difficulties. We hate to mention it, but it needs to be done."

With the old man facing eternity, he lifted his quivering hand and signed the paper. Before long, he went to be with the Lord. When the family picked up the document, to their amazement he had signed, "Jesus." More than likely, it was the only name that meant anything to him in those moments.

--ACTION POINT:
--What name means the most to you right now? There will come a time when the only name that will mean anything to you is—Jesus.
---Adrian Rogers ~ /
"There is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. Call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved." Give Me Jesus~Jeremy Camp~
<https://youtu.be/LtQBe0e3qXQ>
----

--CONSULT GOD IN EVERYTHING ~~

--How bold are your prayers? Boldness in prayer is an uncomfortable thought for many. We think of humbling ourselves before God or having a chat with God.
But agonizing before God…or storming heaven with our prayers…or pounding on the door of the Most High…or wrestling with God? Isn’t such prayer irreverent and presumptuous? It would be had God not invited us to pray as such.

The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 4:16, “So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.” Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that “Satan masquerades himself as an angel of light.”

The 'enemy of our soul' is crafty, so it is essential that we consult God in everything! 'Is this opportunity from you, God? Are you in this venture, God?'
Acknowledge Him, heed Him, and ask Him. He will guide you. Whatever is on your heart and mind, is also on His. He is your Creator.
--Glory Days/ML

--ACCUSATION VS. CONVICTION:LEARN TO THE THE DIFFERENCE!

--BIBLE MEDITATION:
--“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:7-8

--DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
--The devil accuses you of sin. The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin. Do you know the difference? The devil accuses you to drive you away from Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts to draw you near to Christ.

The devil wants you to get under a load of guilt so you’ll say, “I’m no good. I can’t live the Christian life. There’s something wrong with me. God doesn’t hear my prayers. It doesn’t do me any good to go to church.”

When you believe those lies, you let the devil drive you away from God! He accuses you to destroy you.

The Holy Spirit convicts you to reclaim you. He is trying to correct you and bring you back, that you may know the fullness of joy. The Holy Spirit draws you to Christ that you may confess your sins and be cleansed!

--ACTION POINT:
Confess, be cleansed, and go your way rejoicing! Ask the Lord to purify your heart. Do as the Bible tells us (Romans 10:9-10) ~~
--Adrian Rogers~~ / Refiner's Fire/ Brian Doerksen
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y8zP34AhuU>
--------

--WAIT AND LISTEN FOR GOD TO SPEAK~~

--BIBLE MEDITATION:
“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth.”
---(Psalm 29:3)

--DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Some people think it’s a waste of time to simply sit at God’s feet and listen. It is not a waste of time to wait on God any more than a woodsman is wasting time when he sharpens his axe.

In his booklet “Tyranny of the Urgent,” Charles Hummel wrote, “When we fail to wait prayerfully for God’s guidance and strength, we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him….Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy….The need is not the call. The call must come from the Lord, Who knows our limitations.”

--ACTION POINT:
Read Psalm 29. Count how many times the phrase “voice of the Lord” is repeated. Spend at least that many minutes listening for His voice and trusting He will speak His will to you.
--Adrian Rogers~~/ FAITHFUL FATHER/ Brian Doerksen
<https://youtu.be/ppEE84ZoNHA>
----

--BE SURE ~~

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)

Most things in this life are uncertain; nevertheless, there are some things about which we can be absolutely sure. Just as God warned Adam that if he disobeyed His Word, he would “surely die” (Genesis 2:17), so He warns us that we can be sure our sins will ultimately be exposed. “The foundation of God standeth sure” (2 Timothy 2:19).

On the other side of the coin, we can also be sure of God’s mercy and faithfulness, and we can be sure of the truth of His Word. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19). We also can be sure of His promised salvation. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast” (Hebrews 6:19).. Thus, we can, through faith and patience, show “the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end” (Hebrews 6:11).

Finally, we can be sure that our Lord Jesus, who came once to die for our sins, will come back again to complete His work of redemption and reconciliation. The very last promise of the Bible consists of His gracious words: “Surely I come quickly” (Revelation 22:20).

However, each of us must first make sure that we believe His sure Word and have appropriated this sure hope.

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11). We can be sure that our sins must be judged, but we also can be sure of His forgiveness, if we believe His sure promises and receive His sure salvation.
--ICR/HMM
[We must remember to keep short accounts. In other words, as the Lord's Prayer teaches us, 'Forgive us our debts (sins), as we forgive those who trespass against us.']

--PRAYING, "THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH...."

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.”
---- Matthew 6:9-10--

When you pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done . . . on earth as it is in heaven” do you realize that this prayer has not yet been answered, but it will be answered? Jesus Christ is literally, actually, visibly, bodily coming back to this earth. Do you believe that? Do you think that Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray this prayer if it would not have been answered? His kingdom has not come yet on earth. His will is not being done on earth. But it shall be; it will be because our Lord taught us to pray that.

When you read or watch the news today, how do you see God’s will not being done on earth? Ask the Lord that His will would be brought to earth – praying for the people involved in each story for their welfare and their salvation.
--Adrian Rogers~~--'OUR FATHER' (Lord's Prayer) Bethel Music~~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eIVSWdBaTE>
-------------

--GIVING IN TO JESUS~~

'In the same way,
count yourselves
dead to sin but alive
to God in Christ
Jesus.' (Romans 6:11)

~~~~THEY CALL IT "The Devil's Footprint." It's a foot-shaped impression in the granite on a hill beside a church in Ipswich, Massachusetts. According to local legend the "footprint" happened one Fall day in 1740, when the evangelist George Whitefield preached so powerfully that the devil leaped from the church steeple, landing on the rock on his way out of town.

Though it's only a legend, the story calls to mind an encouraging truth from God's Word. James 4:7 reminds us, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

God has given us the strength we need to stand against our adversary and the temptations in our lives. The Bible tells us that "sin shall no longer be your master" (Romans 6:14) because of God's loving grace to us through Jesus Christ. As we run to Jesus when temptation comes, He enables us to stand in His strength. Nothing we face in this life can overcome Him, because He has "overcome the world" (John 16:33).

As we submit ourselves to our Savior, yielding our wills to Him in the moment and walking in obedience to God's Word, He is helping us. When we give in to Him instead of giving in to temptation, He is able to fight our battles. In Him we can overcome~~

'Dear Lord, I give my will to You today.
Help me to stay close to You in every moment,
and to love You by obeying You.' ~ amen~~

--ODB/JB~--"JESUS I NEED YOU" / Hillsong Worship~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz_oad9XZ0o>
---------

---THE POWER OF PRAYER~~

-'Do not stop crying
out to the LORD our
God for us, that He
may rescue us."
-(1 Samuel 7:8)-

--ONE DAY, when I was deeply concerned about the welfare of one close to me, I found encouragement in part of the Old Testament story of Samuel, a wise leader of the Israelites. As I read how Samuel interceded for God's people as they faced trouble, I strengthened my resolve to pray for the one I loved.

The Israelites faced the threat of the Philistines, who had previously defeated them when God's people didn't trust in Him (see 1 Samuel 4). After repenting of their sins, they heard that the Philistines were about to attack. This time, however, they asked Samuel to continue praying for them (7:8), and the Lord answered clearly by throwing their enemy into confusion (v 10). Though the Philistines may have been mightier than the Israelites, the Lord was the strongest of them all.

When we ache over the challenges facing those we love, and fear the situation won't change, we may be tempted to believe that the Lord will not act. But we should never underestimate the power of prayer, for our loving God hears our pleas. We don't know how He will move in response to our petitions, but we know that as our Father He longs for us to embrace His love and to trust in His faithfulness.

-Do you have someone you can pray for today? God always hears us when we pray and will answer in the way He knows is best for us, His people. We must trust in His will for us.~~

--ODB/ABP--/--"LOVE IS WAR" / Hillsong United<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5scS31oFzeo>
---------

---HE LISTENS~~~

--Is God sovereign over your circumstances? Is he mightier than your problem? Does he have answers to your questions? The Bible says yes, yes, and yes! “God is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters” (1 Timothy 6:15 Phillips).

Rejoice in the Lord. This is step one. Don’t hurry past it. Face God before you face your problem. Then you will be ready to “let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Fear triggers either despair or prayer. Choose wisely. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). There’s no uncertainty in that promise. Jesus states unflinchingly that when you ask, he listens. So ask!

--From:Anxious for Nothing/ML~~/ "Hear My Prayer O, Lord" / Maranatha~~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjOhcAidA7c>
------------

---PERSISTENT PRAYER ~~

----[Luke 18:1, 7 (NIV®) ]
-"Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. . . . “Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?”
--(Recommended Reading- / All of LUKE Chapter 8:1-8)--

---We know we should pray, yet prayer is lacking in many of our lives. There are a host of reasons why that is, but a significant one is that we have the notion that we should receive an immediate supernatural response; when that doesn’t happen, we withdraw from prayer. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the woman who was so persistent in her pleas for justice that the judge granted her request just to get her out of his court. It is obvious that crying out to God day and night is a good thing, so why would we think that our requests should be “one and done”? Effective prayer is like any other skill: It requires time, intentionality, a willingness to fail and learn from what we don’t know, and repetition. Let’s commit ourselves to a new attitude toward prayer, one that will help us grow and deepen our relationship and our conversations with the Lord.

**THINK ABOUT IT**
Have you ever doubted the effectiveness of your prayers? Consider Jesus’ words and let faith grow in your heart. Decide to seek the Lord in prayer and not give up.

PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, help me to pray with expectation and perseverance. Teach me Your promises in Scripture; they are the substance of my confidence in prayer. Unite me with Your people with whom I can grow in prayer to honor You. All glory to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, AMEN! [There Three= ONE]
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson--"THIS I BELIEVE" (The Creed) / Hillsong Worship <https://youtu.be/h0mPk_3dXSg>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

----DOORS OF POSSIBILITY~~PRAYER MATTERS TO JEHOVAH GOD!

Luke 6:12-13 (NIV®)
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them. . . --

---This passage suggests to me that Jesus went to the mountain to pray, and one hour turned to two hours, then it just spilled over into an all-night prayer meeting with His Father. When He came back from that night in prayer, He selected the twelve men who would be His closest followers and helpers, the men who would continue His work after He was gone. This is the Son of God, who left Heaven to live among us as a man, yet even He did not make such an important decision without spending hours in prayer. Prayer matters. When we ignore God’s invitations to have these intimate conversations with Him and fail to pray, we leave closed the doors of God’s opportunities in our lives. When we take prayer seriously and practice it diligently, we open doors of possibility for God to work in our lives. I want to be a person of prayer.

**THINK ABOUT IT**
~~ Prayerlessness begets isolation and cuts you off from God. Today, choose to fill the “dead air” between you and the Lord with conversation and praise.

**PRAYER**
--"Heavenly Father, You have given me a unique voice. Deliver me from all doubt that my voice matters to You—that You eagerly wait for me to talk with You. Strengthen me to stand in Your presence, share my heart, and listen with hope. Thank You, Lord, that you always answer our prayers in the way you know is best. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

----WAIT FOR HIS GUIDANCE ~~

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you
should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."
--(Psalm 32:8)--

--Perhaps you don't know what to do today. There is a problem that consumes your mind, but you cannot see a clear way forward. If you don't know what to do the only thing you can do is seek God and wait to see what He will reveal to you. That's what having patience means. It doesn't mean you sit and do nothing; but, rather, you persevere by actively anticipating that the Lord will respond on your behalf (Isaiah 64:4)

However, to wait in an effective manner, you should answer some important questions in your own heart: Do you believe that God is indeed all-powerful, all-wise, and ultimately good and loving toward you? Do you trust that when you ask the Lord for wisdom, He reveals it to you willingly (James 1:5)? And do you have confidence that even if you cannot see the benefit in a trial, that your loving heavenly Father will eventually bring good from it (Romans 8:28)?

If so, then what do you have to fear? Rest in the fact that God will show you what to do when the time is right.~~

-"Lord Jesus, I will trust You to show me the way I should go. I know you love me and will always do what is best for me. Thank you my Rock, Redeemer, Savior, and soon returning King above all kings. I praise You and bless your holy Name, Yahweh, YHWH. ~ Amen."

~~MY HOPE IS IN JESUS BECAUSE HE ALWAYS PROVIDES PERFECT GUIDANCE. ~~

--'Jesus, Our Perfect Hope'/ CS~ --"Love Moved First"/ Casting Crowns ~ <https://youtu.be/qDdTt7AB0gI>
------------

--He Never Comes Too Late ~~

~~NEVER dread tomorrow or what the future brings.

Just pray for strength and courage
...and trust God in all things.

And never grow discouraged---
Be patient and just wait,

For Jehovah God never comes too early,
And He never comes too late.~~---

--"Blessings"/ Laura Story / <https://youtu.be/Cd6J6Wgnv4M>
----

--THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND~~

-"The time is fulfilled, and
the kingdom of God is at
hand; repent and believe in
the Gospel."
--(Mark 1:15)--
---
--JESUS BEGAN HIS public ministry by preaching. The message was very concise. He called people to repent of sin and to believe the Gospel. He proclaimed that the kingdom of God was at hand. There was an urgency to His preaching. The Christ has come; His kingdom has broken into Creation.

The same Christ journeyed from Galilee to Jerusalem and endured the scourge of death on the Cross. Sin was atoned for; freedom in the Gospel was accomplished. In His resurrection, He became the firstfruits of the New Creation. The kingdom of God had not just broken into creation; the beginnings of a restored creation had emerged.

The kingdom of God continues to break into creation now. The call of repentance and proclamation of the Gospel have not ceased. Christ's message is the same. The urgency remains. Christ brings sinners to repentance, forgives their sins, and sustains them by His Spirit.

Repent and believe, for the kingdom of God is at hand for us! The same Christ calls us to repent of our sin anew this day and to be filled with His gracious forgiveness. The kingdom of God has broken into Creation; it has broken in to save us. ~~

-"Lord God, forgive me of my sin and keep me in Your Kingdom. 'Even so, Come Lord Jesus, Come. Yes, and Amen!'"

--Portals of Prayer~~

--HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT/ JESUS DIED TO PAY OUR SIN-DEBT ~~

--"Carrying his own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified Him.
----(John 19:17-18 / NIV) --

---The essence of our story as Christ-followers is the Cross. When I say the cross, I mean Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. We have no message, no hope apart from that. It is the anchor of our faith and the foundation of who we are as a people. Death on a cross was a torturous ordeal intended by those who utilized the practice to intimidate their enemies into submission. The idea was that if you crucified someone in a public place, it was so horrific that it would quell any thought of rebellion.

When Hollywood has attempted to depict crucifixion accurately, it has been nearly impossible to watch. The symbol of the Cross has become the most identifiable symbol of our faith. It is hung on walls as home décor, worn as jewelry, and used on business cards. I have no problem with that, but my hope is that we will always see the Cross for what it is—the place of our Lord’s death on our behalf—and be reminded to thank Him for His indescribable gift.

**THINK ABOUT IT**
--If the depths of suffering Jesus endured on the cross on our behalf are kept in view, worship and obedience toward God will flow. Remember what it cost Him. May we “never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 6:14, NIV®).

**PRAYER**
--"Heavenly Father, what inexpressible love You have for me that You presented Your Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice of atonement on my behalf. I receive Your gift of righteousness by faith and worship You with thanksgiving. Thank You, My Lord and Savior, for paying my sin-debt by dying in my place. Lord, help me to never be ashamed of You, and to tell others of Your gift of eternal life by accepting Your 'free-gift' gift In Jesus' name. amen."

Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
[Friend, We accept Jesus' 'free gift' of salvation, not because it cost nothing. It did cost Jesus's life. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." - (--HEBREWS 9:22) ]

--UNPLANNED CHANGE ~~

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and
today and forever."
--(Hebrews 13:8)
~~~~~~~
"The LORD makes firm the steps of
the one who delights in Him"
--(Psalm 37:23)---

---A few years ago, our county's board of education decided not to renew our church's lease of the school building where we met every Sunday.

Shocked, we considered other venues but couldn't find anything suitable for a while. When we planted the church, we understood the unpredictability of using a shared facility. But we hadn't planned on this.

--Plans are doors of hope to what we believe God would have us do. David knew the importance of giving our plans to God = "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and He will do this" (Psalm 37:5). Instead of being overwhelmed by the coming change, it was important for my husband and me me to "be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him" (v.7).

Surrendering our plans to God doesn't mean He will fulfill them the way we would like, but He does direct the "steps of the one who delights in him" (v.23).

When we trust Him in the midst of the unplanned, He takes unexpected changes and transforms them into opportunities for us to grow our faith. ~~

-"Thank You, beloved Lord, that You know all things. You know what each day brings and even before it transpires. Help us, Lord, to trust completely in Your plans for us, as we follow Your Word, and walk in Your steps. Lead, guide and direct us as You know is best, in Jesus Name. ~ amen~"

--ODB/Regina ~
---------

--"Lord Jesus, our Source of Life, Thank You for your love and strength that never fails. Flow through us as we seek to love and serve others, in Your Name. amen`"

--"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your
frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. "
--(Isaiah 58:11)--

--I love to sit and watch the creek flowing through our back yard. Streams, creeks, and rivers flow continually all around the area where I live. I've often sat beside a fast-moving mountain stream, and wondered, 'Where is all that water coming from? What keeps the water flowing? Where does it begin?'

When I watch the water rippling in the creek, I honestly don't know where it begins. However, I do know the source for the Spiritual Water (Holy Spirit), in my life. Isaiah says that God will make us to be like springs whose waters never fail. God promises to satisfy our needs and to strengthen us, to continually send us blessings and work in us. God's grace and love continue to flow through me--just like water cascading down falls, rolling over rocks, and endlessly moving.

When we have these special moments with the Lord, lets remember to pray for those who are in lands where there is no water. God's love is a stream that never runs dry. Let's share His love with others, in Jesus Name. ~~


--"Deeper Deeper Still/ Ryan Kennedy / <https://youtu.be/eTUugMZUJ7A>

--RESTORE POINT~~ JESUS!

--"LORD JESUS, help us to keep our hearts pure and clean toward You and
toward others. May we always be open to your Presence and leading in our lives.
We praise you and bless You, our Lord, Savior and Redeemer. In Christ's Name ~ amen"

--"If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come;
The old has gone, the new is here! Praise Jesus! ~
--(2 Corinthians 5:17) --

--This morning my computer was not working properly It's old so I'm patient with it, but the screen saver was suddenly different, and all of my emails had disappeared. I remembered that our son had showed me how to create a "restore point," a technique to restore settings on a computer to prior time. So I did that, and my screen saver was restored to the current version--and the emails reappeared!

I sometimes wish for a "restore point" in my personal life. Relationships tht once were good can go sour with a single negative encounter that leads to bitterness, resentment, and division. I long to go back to when that relationship was positive and good and satisfying.

Our Lord Jehovah God does that for us. Through His death and resurrection, Christ reconciled us, bringing us into communion with God. We serve God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are One. When I foul things up with a negative word or act or thought, ugliness builds like a darkening sky on a stormy day. But by God's grace He is always with me (and all believers). He is able to restore my Spirit to a place of peace and hope and love. I can choose to confess my wrongdoing to the other person and to God, then ask for forgiveness and for God's help to see the good in the person I am at odds with. Often for me, this is a daily process to restore communion with others and with God. Thanks be to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, I can be restored. ~~
--The Upper Room/SP
--"Come Now is the Time to Worship"/ Phillips, Craig and Dean~/ --<https://youtu.be/NPWq8eM4lu8>
~~~~~~

-----"COME TO ME"

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
--(Matthew 11:28)--

--I was stressed about mounting medical bills after we had our third daughter. I couldn't sleep as I tried to figure out how we'd pay the bills. My muscles were tense. I was exhausted. So I cried out to God.

Experts tell us to combat stress by getting plenty of rest, eating right, and exercising. But Jesus tells us about something else that provides true peace and rest: prayer.

As I prayed, I was reminded of Matthew 11:28 (see text). Jesus invited me to come to Him to gain perspective and real rest. In the next verse, He said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...and you will find rest for your souls" (v. 29). Our loving Savior doesn't scold us for being unable to handle the pressures of life by ourselves. Instead, He wants us to give our burdens to Him (Psalm 55 verse 22).

--GO TO HIM TODAY! JESUS IS WAITING TO TAKE YOUR BURDEN FROM YOU!

---'GOD HEARS HER' /Marlena~~
---"I Will Lift My Eyes" / Bebo Norman / <https://youtu.be/Te0hy2YcLgg>
~~~~~~~~~~

Friends,
We can call on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ 24/7's. He is always available to hear and answer our prayers. Because of His resurrection from the grave we know He is alive right now. He is with his followers spiritually every day and hour and minute. "Call on me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know."

JESUS IS ALIVE! Please tell that to everyone you meet. He is coming soon to gather His church (people), to live with Him eternally. "He that winneth souls is wise." We have a job to do until Jesus returns.


-"If only for this life
we have hope in Christ,
we are of all people
most to be pitied. (1 Cor 15:19) ~

While we are still on this earth, we still sorrow. The hope the apostle Paul talks about is that death doesn't have the final say (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). There is something that follows, another word: resurrection. Paul grounds that hope in the reality of the resurrection of Christ (v.12), and says "if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (v.14. ).

We will one day see those again who have "fallen asleep in Christ" (v.18)---grandparents, and parents, friends and neighbors that have accepted Jesus' death on the Cross for the forgiveness of their sins.
Death doesn't get the final word. Christ's Resurrection does! ~

"Lord Jesus, may the power of Your resurrection become more and more evident in my life. May it be clear in my words and actions, especially as I interact with those who do not know You. Thank You, Lord, for paying my (our), sin debt by dying on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins. In Christ's Name, amen"~
--"Never Forsaken" / Hillsong Worship ~<https://youtu.be/UVzXDOrsiJs>
~~~~~

---WASHED, SANCTIFIED, JUSTIFIED~~

--"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God."
---(1 Corinthians 6:9-11)--

--This is written to the church in Corinth, but it's as fresh as today's news. Paul reminds us even though life seems to be going well for the wicked, they're not going to have a happy ending. To keep pride from creeping in, his list of wicked behaviors puts being greedy along with adultery. But he gives Good News: "That's what you were, but you've been washed, sanctified, and justified."

Paul reminds us we have the power of Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, to help us change. Remember that you too have been washed, and sanctified, and justified. Even when living inside His boundaries seems hard, ask Him to help you, and He will. We all were born into sin because of Adam and Eve's fall in the Garden of Eden. But God......Jesus reaches out to every person to come to Him, and He will show you the right way to live for Him and be set free from this worldly system. ~~

"Heavenly Father, thank You that because of Jesus' death on the Cross for me I have been washed, sanctified, and justified. Help me as I struggle against my weaknesses to live for You within Your boundaries for a righteous life. Help me to be the person on the inside that I want the world to see on the outside. I'm so grateful that You have promised the Holy Spirit to guide me during all my days on Earth. In the name of Jesus I pray and thank You, my Rock and Redeemer.~ amen~

--"Turn Up The Light/GAJ ~--"God Of All My Days"/ Casting Crowns / <https://youtu.be/RocPcgqCDE0>
~~~~~~~~~

--LEARNING TO FORGIVE ~~

-'Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they
do not know what they are doing."
--(Luke 23:34 / NIV)

--Many years ago when I was seven and my brother was three, I witnessed a group of adults bullying my mother because she was of Japanese heritage. Even though I was too young to understand why this was happening, I was angry and felt hatred. I knew that if my dad had been home, instead of serving in the military overseas, these people would not have dared to do what they did. I saw my mother cry many times while my dad was away. It was difficult for me to understand why we, as a family, all had to suffer.

It took some time for me to understand that as Christians, we are called to forgive those who hurt us or our loved ones. I think one of the hardest things God asks us to do is: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," (Matthew 5:44) as Jesus did on the Cross. Though I have never forgotten, I have forgiven those people for the evil they did. For me, it is like a painful wound that has healed, but the scar remains as a constant reminder of what happened. The words of Jesus and his example have taught me a great deal about forgiveness. We must follow in our Lord Jesus's steps.

Memorizing the Lord's Prayer and praying it from our hearts is a healing balm. "Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts (sins/trespasses), as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. ~ Amen"~ [Matthew 6: verses 9 thru 13 = NASB]"

--Upper Room~/ ET--"All For Love"/ Hillsong =<https://youtu.be/hNAti01dDWM>
~~~~~~~~

--PERMISSION TO BE DESPERATE ~~ / THE LORD HEARS EVERY PRAYER~~

---"During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."
---(Hebrews 5:7 / NIV)

Some of us have grown up in homes and churches where the only prayers we heard sounded like they were written centuries ago—because they were! There is nothing wrong with written prayers and corporate prayers—we pray those regularly at our church. But Jesus is our model, and He did not always offer up neat and tidy prayers. He knew that eternity in Heaven or Hell was in the balance for the people around Him. He suffered constant persecution. Sometimes He was desperate, and that gives me permission to be desperate. Sometimes He cried for help, and that gives me permission to cry for help. Desperation is not a sign of weakness or failure, because Jesus was neither of those. Allowing God to see and hear our deepest feelings is an expression of trust and humility toward the One who has promised to hear us and help us, so don’t ever feel you cannot show Him your true emotions.

THINK ABOUT IT
~~~God’s Holy Spirit searches the deepest recesses of your life—your emotions neither surprise nor offend Him. He is eager for you to invite Him to come in with complete healing and comfort.
[Yes, Jesus said, "I and the Father are one." Jesus is God-Man. He never ceased being G-D and Human. He prayed to His Father often. We should do the same. Keep praying, in the Name above all other names, Jesus Yahweh. YHWH= Our covenant keeping G-D. ]

PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, I bring it all before You: my thoughts, my desperate emotions, my hidden anxieties. I trust You with every open wound and scar. Hear the cry of my heart and deliver me from my fears, bringing Your healing and hope. Thank You, LORD G-D, for forgiving my sins. Help me to do what is pleasing in Your sight. Also to say the words that bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, amen."

Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson--"For Your Name Is Holy" / "Let the Weight of Your Glory Fall" / Paul Wilbur ~~<https://youtu.be/nSjy0lZk5tE>
~~~~~~~~~~

--"Heavenly Father,
'Thank you for your love, grace and mercy. Thank You for comforting me (us), in all our circumstances. We stand on the truth of Your Word. You said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are Mine. I have your name engraved on the palm of my nail-pierced hand. I know You are always with me. I praise and bless Your holy Name, Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. amen~"


~~NEVER ALONE~~

---"KEEP STRAIGHT THE PATH OF YOUR FEET, AND ALL YOUR WAYS WILL BE SURE."
---[Proverbs 4:26 / NRSV]--

~~~I had gone to church my whole life, but I had never yearned to know God more than I did during Junior High and High School. I could see where my previous friends had gone the way of the world. I knew that Jesus was the answer to having a joyful life, in Him. The cares of this world were no longer my desire. I wanted to be more like Jesus and my Church friends. Today I pray for my (old) previous friends, as I know they have been blinded by the god of this world. Jesus is the only answer to a joyful life.

The Lord showed me that I never have to conform to the world to find community; I just need to open my eyes and surrender to Yahweh, YHWH, our Covenant-Keeping God.
Our Lord, will help me (us), to be a light for Him in this dark world. I pray others will see Jesus in me. I pray for the boldness to speak up for Jesus's glory, and invite others to Church, and Youth Functions, explaining about You, Abba Father, who will always be with us forever, even into eternity "Even so, Come Lord Jesus" JESUS IS THE ONLY NAME TO REMEMBER! ~~
---"ONLY JESUS" / Casting Crowns ~~ --<https://youtu.be/TAtx1y58jS0>
~~~~~

~~~GOD CARES FOR ALL OF US ~~

"Give us today our daily bread."
---(Matthew 6:11)
[Recommended Reading/ Matthew 7:7-12]

~~~Our daughter-in-law and four-year-old granddaughter were traveling from Mexico to Tokyo during the approach of Hurricane Harvey. They were scheduled to take a connecting flight out of Houston, Texas, but due to the bad weather, the airport closed shortly after their arrival in Houston. Stranded, they took a taxi to seek shelter at a hotel.

Thankfully, their hotel did not suffer as much damage as others in the area, but because of the emergency status, food supplies were scarce. My wife and I were deeply concerned for them. Each time we ate a meal, we prayed for God to provide for the needs of our daughter-in-law and grand-daughter. God did provide sustenance for them, using other people to care for them. Finally, after 10 days, they were able to continue their journey, healthy and safe.

When we ask God to give us today our daily bread, we recognize that God is our provider. May we trust that God will supply what we need. Especially when our situation feels hopeless, we can put our faith in God, Jehovah Jireh, the G-D who provides. ~~

"Loving God, we give thanks for the blessings You provide for us, and we pray for those who are facing difficult times. We trust your providence. We know that You are always with us, and we can call on You always, 24/7's. We love You, our Lord, Rock, Provider, and Redeemer. In Jesus Name, amen." ~~

--UPPER ROOM/JV ---/"Who Am I?" / Casting Crowns~~<https://youtu.be/F9hetEFcjGM>
~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~Promises for Painful Times
---(Please Read/ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

~~~ Sometimes the Lord uses brokenness as a tool to mold us into His likeness. God’s followers desire this outcome, yet the process is a painful one. That’s why the Lord gives encouragement in a number of ways.

First, God disciplines with love. Just as parents redirect their children’s behavior out of love, the heavenly Father has our best interest in mind when correcting us. It’s not out of anger that He allows suffering.

Second, God gives us hope through His Son. He doesn’t want our suffering to debilitate us, but when it feels like too much to bear, the promise of eternity and Christ’s presence keeps us from despair (2 Corinthians 4:18). Our Father wants us to grow in Christlikeness, but He doesn’t want to break our spirit.

Third, God brings clarity through difficult times. As we learn that His ways are higher than ours, we gain greater understanding of His amazing attributes. At the same time, our self-awareness starts to sharpen, and old unproductive thought patterns begin to fade.

Fourth, God promises that He’ll never desert us. Brokenness can bring a feeling of emptiness as we are losing things that once captured our loyalty. But our Father replaces those with Himself—and He is vastly more satisfying and dependable.

Fifth, the Lord is patient. He knows our background and thought patterns but also sees the end result and knows the journey is worth it.

When you face hardship, remember God’s promises and keep your eyes fixed on the goal. He wants to help you reach your full potential.
--IN TOUCH~~
-"Heavenly Father, thank You for your wisdom and guidance. "Apart from You, we can do nothing (John 15:5)." We give you praise, honor, and glory, in the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.~"

--God Values Endurance

---[Please Read/ Hebrews 11:23-29]

---As human beings, we often have a difficult time perceiving what the Lord is doing in our life. We are limited by the passage of time, the confusion of present circumstances, and a lack of understanding regarding God’s goals and His means of accomplishing them. That’s why studying the lives of men and women in Scripture helps us see how the Lord worked in previous generations. God’s relationships with the faithful in earlier times are helpful examples for us today.

When we face uncertainty, we can look to Moses’ example. His life was unpredictable and full of hardship, yet he “endured, as seeing Him who is unseen” (Heb. 11:27). In Greek, the root word for “endurance” refers to the capacity to bear up under difficulty. Moses successfully persevered under pressure by keeping his focus on God rather than on the events surrounding him.

From Moses’ example, we learn that this is what the Lord desires for us as well. Although we may want out of a difficult situation as soon as possible, this may not be God’s aim. It is not His goal to make us as comfortable as can be but, rather, to transform us into the image of His Son. And endurance helps us get there.

If God calls us to endure pain, hardship, or uncertainty, we can find encouragement in knowing we’re never alone. Part of “seeing Him who is unseen” is realizing that God’s grace and comfort carry us through every situation. The Lord desires that we trust Him and bring glory to His name through our dependence on Him.
Our job is to be obedient and leave the results to God. We also read in Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you; But to do justice, to love kindness, and And to walk humbly with your God.--
--IN TOUCH~~
"Lord God of Creation, thank You for the diversity in our world. Use each of us to bring glory and honor to Your Name. Help us to be compassionate toward others as we live to give You praise and honor, our Rock and Redeemer. We were made to worship You. In Jesus Name~ amen" ~~---"Made To Worship" // Chris Tomlin // <https://youtu.be/u5FmNqozk6k>
~~~~

---RUNNING A GOOD RACE ~~

~~Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
---(2 Timothy 4:7) --

~~~My husband, Kurt, and I used to walk a mile each day on the indoor track at the YMCA. Besides getting exercise, we enjoyed lively conversation and simply being together. But after Kurt passed away, I stopped taking walks. It simply wasn't enjoyable walking alone. When I finally convinced myself that I needed to exercise for my health, I returned to the track.

As Christians, we are to run the good race. While I know this verse from 2 Timothy isn't literally about running, it reminds me to push on with my life even though Kurt is gone. Walking alone gives me the opportunity to pray or quietly sing songs of praise to God.

Throughout his battle with cancer, Kurt fought the good fight. He finished his race, never wavering in his faith. Yes, I'm lonely. But with Christ's help, I can run the good race, too. We are never truly alone when Jesus is running with us. I know Kurt is with Jesus now, and that is better than anything this world has to offer. ~~

-"Lord God, thank You for sending Jesus to walk through life with us so that we are never truly alone. Help us to keep our faith strong until the very end, where You will meet us with open arms, saying, "Welcome Home my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord"~~amen~~" . --"Can't Live A Day"/ Avalon // <https://youtu.be/EjyMY5hdU84>
~~~~~

---NOT AFRAID ~~

--["The righteous] will have no fear of bad news; their hearts
are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." ``(Psalm 112:7 / NIV) ]-

~~~Recently, my doctor told me that I have a rare tumor called dermatofibrosarcoma. When I head the news, two choices came to mind: I can succumb to fear, or I can have faith in Jesus, my Lord. When I found the wonderful verse above, it helped me not to panic or worry about the bad news I had heard from my doctor. And I know the Lord's faithfulness is greater than my problems.

The Lord assured me that I did not need to fear bad news. Like the righteous ones in Psalm 112, I could stand steadfast and be encouraged, confidently relying on the Lord. Yes, the news is bad. My family depends on me to take care of their daily needs, and I do worry about them. But I trust in the Lord who promised to be a great help in times of trouble and always to be present with us.

We all face difficulties, but trusting the Lord can relieve us of the weight of worry. It is easy to let fear control our minds when we hear bad news, but fear will not control us when we put our trust in the Lord. We can always count on Jehovah Rapha, our God that heals. We know our healing will come either on this side of eternity, or when Jesus takes us home. "Even so, Come, Lord Jesus."

-"Dear Lord, in times of trouble give us the courage to face each day knowing that You are greater than all our worry and fear. We know that You hold the world in the palm of Your hand. Especially that each believer in You, can put our trust firmly on the Rock of Ages. "Perfect love casts out fear because fear has torment" (1 John 4:18). ~~--"I Am Not Alone" // Kari Jobe //<https://youtu.be/MbbCGqK6uNc>
~~~~~~~~~

-~~~It's Called "Choice" ~~

"To choose life is to love
the LORD your God, obey Him,
and stay close to Him."
--(Deuteronomy 30:20)--

~~G-D placed one scoop of clay upon another until a form lay lifeless on the ground....

All were silent as the Creator reached in himself and removed something yet unseen. "It's called 'choice.' The seed of choice."

Within the man, God had placed a divine seed. A seed of his self . The God of might had created earth's mightiest. The Creator had created, not a creature, but another creator. And the One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return.

Now it's our choice. Who do you say that Jesus is? Have you believed and accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior?

Our Creator longs to hear our prayer:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will
not despise."--[Psalm 51:10,11,12,17~]
~~~~~~~~~"I Surrender"//Hillsong United //--<https://youtu.be/klj5xQf6tWo>
~~~~~~~~

----SINNER SET FREE~~

--"Then you will know the truth,
and the truth will make you free."
---(John 8:32)

~~~Think of it this way. Sin put you in prison. Sin locked you behind the bars of guilt and shame and deception and fear. Sin did nothing but shackle you to the wall of misery. Then Jesus came and paid your bail. He served your time; He satisfied the penalty and set you free. Christ died, and when you cast your lot with Him, your old self died too.

The only way to be set free from the prison of sin is to serve its penalty. In this case the penalty is death. Someone has to die, either you or a heaven-sent substitute. You cannot leave prison unless there is a death. But that death has occurred at Calvary. And when Jesus died, you died to sin's claim on your life.
"Whom the Son sets free is free indeed" (John 8:36). You are free.

--'In the Grip of Grace'/ML~~--
~~"Thank You for saving me, Jesus! Help me to walk in gratefulness to You. Help me to be a light for Your glory.~~amen~~"
--"Jesus I Need You"// Hillsong Worship // <https://youtu.be/qz_oad9XZ0o>
~~~~~~~~~

~~WISDOM PRAYER~

--Jesus taught his disciples how to pray in (Matthew 6:9-13/ NASB). We can use that same prayer if we need help getting started, or when we simply do not know what to pray. Our prayers are not answered according to how many words we say, rather meaning what we say. God always looks on the heart.

~"Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.

"Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen" --
~~~~~~~
---"When you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words."
~~(Matthew 6:7-8)

~~~Powerful praying begins with a right relationship with God. In James 5:16, James said the effective prayer of a righteous person can accomplish much. What does it mean to be righteous? Righteous means being in a right relationship with God. Before we are saved, we are guilty before God, deserving hell, but the moment we trust in Jesus for our salvation, in the great courtroom of heaven God declares us not guilty. Our standing before God has changed from sinners deserving hell to believers deserving heaven, and it’s all because of what Christ does for us. That’s judicial righteousness. It is a permanent, irrevocable standing we have before God. When we become a Christian, that judicial righteousness not only changes our standing with God, but it also changes our relationship with God. No longer are we strangers and enemies of God, but we become children of God.

When God declares us not guilty by our faith in Christ, we become a part of God’s forever family, and it changes God’s attitude toward us, especially when it comes to prayer. In Galatians 4:6-7, Paul explained it this way: “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” That word “abba” is Aramaic for “daddy.” The moment we become a Christian, God is no longer a distant deity; He’s our daddy, our papa. That gives us confidence in coming to God. Does that mean God is going to answer every prayer request we have? No. But if we are judicially righteous, we have the confidence that when we pray, God hears us and will answer according to His will.
Christians have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
John said it this way in 1 John 5:14: “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
--PTV/RJ~
~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Friends, this song is definitely awesome! It is Aaron's Benediction in Numbers 6:22-26 ~~

~~"The LORD bless you, and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance on ,
And give you peace" --[NUMBERS 6:24-26]

~~"The Blessing" / [feat. Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe] <https://youtu.be/haDkcdL_YLM>
~~~~~~

~~Confidence In God ~

~Joy and delight were the emotions the prophet Jeremiah experienced when he received God’s words. “When your words came, I ate them,” he said, “they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16). Unlike the people of Judah who despised His words (8:9), Jeremiah had been obedient and rejoiced in them. His obedience, however, also led to the prophet being rejected by his own people and persecuted unfairly (15:17).-

Some of us may have experienced something similar. We once read the Bible with joy, but obedience to God led to suffering and rejection from others. Like Jeremiah, we can bring our confusion to God. He answered Jeremiah by repeating the promise He gave him when He first called him to be a prophet (vv. 19-21; see 1:18-19). God reminded him that He never lets His people down. We can have this same confidence too. He’s faithful and will never abandon us.
~~~~
~"Faithful God, thank You for speaking to me through the words of the Bible. Help me to seek You earnestly and to obey You faithfully. 'I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in You in all things' [2 Corinthians 7:17]."
--ODB/PFC~
~~~~"FOLLOW YOU ANYWHERE"//Passion (ft. Kristin Stanfill/ lyric video) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr8Nkxl4Lxs>
~~~~~~~

~~The Memory of the Righteous~~

"The memory of the righteous is a blessing."
---(Proverbs 10:7 / RSV)

~~The sun was warm, but the wind had a sharp edge to it as I lifted the sap bucket off the maple tree. The bucket was full, and I focused my attention on the task of removing it from the small hook that held it securely to the tree.

When the ground thawed, the sap was drawn upward toward the branches to give the tree new life. This was the liquid that we would boil down to make maple syrup.

I lowered my eyes to the gathering pail on the ground and carefully poured the gallons of clear liquid into it. As the last drop fell, my eyes moved from the bucket to the granite marker that sat beneath the maple tree. It had been resting there for more than eleven years. On the stone were engraved the names of four family members who has passed away. Just looking at their names brought a rush of fond memories.

I paused for a moment and retreated from the labor at hand to remember my dad, my aunt, my cousin, and my mom, and the impact each had on my life. The memory of their love flowed into my soul just as the sap flowed from the maple tree into the bucket. God felt very close on that warm Spring day as I gathered maple sap by the old rock wall. I know my family members are now face-to-face with Jesus, the Person who gives eternal life. ~~

--"Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to remember all those who were Your hands and heart here on earth, those who shaped my life and helped to make me who I am today. I give you all glory, honor, and praise, in Jesus Name.~amen"

---GUIDEPOSTS/PP~
"Nobody Loves Me Like You"// Chris Tomlin (lyrics)~~<https://youtu.be/eyp_oL4m5k4>
~~~~~~~~

-"Heavenly Father, teach us to keep our trust in You for good outcomes. We know that You are totally in control of everything that happens to us, Your people. In Jesus Name.~amen."

---"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
~~(Psalm 27:14 / NIV)

~~I will never forget the day my son, Paul was born. It was one of the happiest days of my life, but also one of the scariest. Sadly, Paul was born with medical complications that damaged his kidney. In his first year, his right kidney was removed and the other one has been functioning at fifty percent for most of his life. He is now in his early thirties and his kidney function is declining. When Paul's doctor advised that he begin the process of getting on the kidney transplant list, my wife and I were disheartened by the news. We always know this day would come, but still we weren't prepared.

In taking the first step to be put on the list, Paul was scheduled for a four-hour orientation and exam at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. My wife, daughter, son-in-law, and I traveled to be with him for the appointment and we all agreed to be his kidney donor if we met the criteria. On the way to the hospital, I could sense my son was uneasy.

After several hours of meeting with doctors, a social worker and others, we finally met with the doctor who runs the transplant department. She was warm, witty, and caring. She said to Paul, "The results of your test indicate that your kidney is functioning at twenty-four percent. This is good news. You need to be at twenty percent to get on the kidney transplant list and begin the process." Paul was relieved and so were we.
Our prayer was answered: his kidney would hold up a little longer. He must continue to see his doctor quarterly as the level of his kidney function is being tracked. We know that it's only a matter of time; yet, we trust the Lord to be with him and us when the time comes. ~~

--GUIDEPOSTS/PB~
--"My Prayer For You" / (lyrics) Alisa Turner//<https://youtu.be/G_E6X2l84Zg>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--"Father G-D, as I interact with others help me to avoid showing preferences.
Help me, Lord, to see others as You do and to treat everyone fairly and
without favoritism. In Jesus Name. Amen~

~~NOT SHOWING FAVORITISM ~~

----"As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
~~~(John 13:34)--

~~~My husband’s brother lives about 1,200 miles away in the mountains of Colorado. Despite the distance, Gerrits has always been a beloved family member because of his great sense of humor and kind heart. As long as I can remember, however, his siblings have good-naturedly joked about his favored status in their mother’s eyes. Several years ago, they even presented him with a T-shirt sporting the words, “I’m Mom’s Favorite.” While we all enjoyed the silliness of our siblings, true favoritism is no joking matter.

In Genesis 37, we read about Jacob who gave his son Joseph an ornate coat—an indication to his other children that Joseph was special (v. 3). Without a hint of subtlety, the coat’s message shouted: “Joseph is my favorite son.”

Displaying favoritism can be crippling in a family. Jacob’s mother, Rebekah, had favored him over her son Esau, leading to conflict between the two brothers (25:28). The dysfunction was perpetuated when Jacob favored his wife Rachel (Joseph’s mother) over his wife Leah, creating discord and heartache (29:30-31). No doubt this pattern was the unhealthy basis for Joseph’s brothers to despise their younger brother, even plotting his murder (37:18).

When it comes to our relationships, we may sometimes find it tricky to be objective. But our goal must be to treat everyone without favoritism and to love every person in our life as our Father loves us (John 13:34).

--ODB/CHK~--"Who You Are To Me" // Chris Tomlin and Friends / (feat/Lady A)<https://youtu.be/7RIWWFxXkDs>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--"Father G-D, thank You for never turning your back on me. Help me, Lord, to never be ashamed of You and your Word. Use me for your glory, in Jesus Name.amen"

--THE MASTER BUILDER~~

--"He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name's sake."-[Psalm 23:3] --

~~IT'S HARD to see things grow old. The town in which I grew up is growing old....Some of the buildings are boarded up. Some of the houses are torn down....The old movie house where I took my dates has "For Sale" on the marquee....

I wish I could make it all new again. I wish I could blow the dust off the streets...but I can't.

I can't. But God can. "He restores my soul," wrote the shepherd. He doesn't reform; he restores. He doesn't camouflage the old; he restores the new. The Master Builder will pull out the original plan and restore it. He will restore the vigor. He will restore the energy. He will restore the hope. He will restore the soul.
Go ahead, ask Him. He never turns away a sincere heart of repentance and restore the years that the locust has eaten. [Joel 2:25]

--"Grace For the Moment/ML~--"Love Moved First"//Casting Crowns=<https://youtu.be/qDdTt7AB0gI>
~~~~~~~~~

--"Heavenly Father, give me someone to encourage today. Show me what to say and
how to meet this person's needs so that You'll be glorified. Use me for Your glory. Thank You, Lord Jesus
for dying to pay my (our) sin-debt. In Jesus Name~amen"

~~~Let God Transform Your Thinking ~~

~~~Family pain is often the deepest pain because it was inflicted so early, and because it involves people who should’ve been trustworthy. You were too young to process the mistreatment. You didn’t know how to defend yourself. Besides the perpetrators of your pain were so large. Your dad, mom, uncle, big brother—they towered over you, usually in size, always in rank. When they judged you falsely, you believed them.

All this time you’ve been operating on faulty data. You’re stupid. . .slow. . .dumb like your daddy. Decades later these voices of defeat still echo in your subconscious.

--But they don’t have to! “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” These are the words of Romans 12:2. And 1 Corinthians 13:11 says, “let God replace your childish thinking with mature truth.” You are not who they said you were. You are God’s child!
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2 / NASB) ~
--'God Will Transform You'/ML~
---"The Power Of The Cross" // Stuart Townend) //<https://youtu.be/nPFv-ywTY-c>
~~~~~~

--"Father G-D, without You I am lost, both figuratively and spiritually. Help me Lord, to stay on the strait and narrow path to spend eternity with You [Matthew 7:13-14] . In Jesus Name. Amen"

--PACKING LIGHT~~

--"If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" [James 1:5 / NIV].

--I have a terrible sense of direction. Few things in life upset my husband more than my reading a map and giving him directions while we are taking road trips. Wayne knows that I don't have a clue where we are, in what direction we're headed, or how to get there. Invariably, he needs to pull off to the side of the road and read the map himself. Thankfully, with the advent of GPS, I can find my way around now, although the shrill voice that says, "recalculating, recalculating" is still heard far too often.

Recently I was muttering to God that I wished He'd given me a GPS when it came to answering some tricky life questions. The fact is, we all need help finding our way through the twists and turns of decision-making, relationships, and responsibilities. He reminded me that He has given us what we all need for guidance: the Bible is our GPS, and the more time we spend with Him, reading and studying His Word, the more direction we receive. He has promised to provide us with the wisdom and the directions we need to navigate through life, and He is able to set us back on course when we are lost. Our Lord G-D is in the business of recalculating too. Go head, call oh Jehovah Yahweh. Jesus loves you! ~~

--GUIDEPOSTS/ DM~~

---"Song In My Soul" / (Phil Wickham / lyric video) //<https://youtu.be/VXAneNye_58>
~~~~~~~~~

---"Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your guidance in my life today. Protect me and give me wisdom
to live in a way that both pleases You and reveals who You are, In Jesus Name~ Amen~"

~~NOW, THEN NEXT~~

--"He holds success in store for the upright."
--(Proverbs 2:7)--

--I recently attended a high school graduation during which the speaker provided a needed challenge for the young adults awaiting their diplomas. He mentioned that this was a time in their lives when every one was asking them, "What's next?" What career would they be pursuing next? Where would they be going to school or working next? Then he said, that the more important questions what were they doing now?

In the context of their faith journey, what daily decisions would they be making that would guide them to live for Jesus and not for themselves?

His words reminded me of the book of Proverbs, which makes many pointed statements about how to live --now. For instance: practicing honesty, now (11:1); choosing the right friends, now (12:26); living with integrity, now (13:6); having good judgment, now (13:5); speaking wisely, now (14:3).

Living for God now, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, makes the decisions about what is next much easier. "The LORD gives wisdom; ...He holds success in store for the upright,...he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones" (2:6-8). May God supply what we need for us to live by His guidelines now, and may He guide us into what's next for His honor. ~~

~~ODB/DB
--"Won't Stop Now"//Elevation Worship/ lyrics // (feat Brandon Lake/live/ <https://youtu.be/6t6HiZdolak>
~~~~~~~~~

---MISSING / WISDOM ~~

--"-"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
---(James 1:5)

--"Give your servant a discerning heart...to distinguish between right and wrong."--[1 Kings 3:9]

--TWO-YEAR-OLD Kenneth went missing. Yet within three minutes of his mom's 9-1-1 call, an emergency worker found him just two blocks away from home at the county fair. His mom had promised he could go later that day with his grandpa. But he'd driven his toy tractor there, and parked it at his favorite ride. When the boy was safely home, his dad wisely removed the toy's battery.

Kenneth was actually rather smart to get where he wanted to go, but two-year-olds are missing another key quality: wisdom. And as adults we sometimes lack it too. Solomon, who'd been appointed king by his father David (1 Kings 2), admitted he felt like a child. God appeared to him in a dream and said, "Ask whatever you want me to give you" (3:5). He replied, "I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties...So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong" (Vs. 7-9). God gave Solomon "a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the sea shore" (4:29).

Where can we get the wisdom we need? Solomon said the beginning of wisdom is a "fear" or awe of God (Proverbs 9:10). So we can start by asking Him to teach us about Himself and to give us wisdom beyond our own. Truly, only God knows the intents of our hearts. Let's go to Him in knowing how to pray and how to love others as He loves us. ~~

--ODB/AC~~
--"Nobody Loves Me Like You (lyrics) --/Chris Tomlin <https://youtu.be/eyp_oL4m5k4>
~~~~~~~~~~

--"Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love. for you are merciful, O LORD." --[PSALM 25:6-7]

--DON'T FORGET TO PRAY~~

--"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." --[Matthew 26:41]--

--What does prayer do? 1) Prayer lifts the petitioner into the realms of the heavenlies. Anyone who spends much time praying to God cannot help becoming heavenly minded. 2) Prayer protects us against the power of the tempter. 3) Prayer is a shield for protection. 4) Prayer expresses praise and thanksgiving to God. In Psalm 119:164 David testified, "Seven times a day do I praise thee." Hebrews 13:15 says, "Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name."

Whom should we pray for? Ourselves, one another, and our Ministers. Pray for the lost, the sick, and the leaders in our nation. What are some conditions for answered prayer? Come to God in a humble attitude (2 Chronicles 7:14). Pray in faith (James 1:6-7). Pray according to God's will. 1 John 5:14 says, "And this is the confidence we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." So have we been remembering to pray each day? If not let's make a point of praying today, tomorrow, and every day afterward.

'The Lord inhabits the praises of his people.' We pray to give Him glory. Even when we are in a battle with the enemy of our souls, we must give the Lord praise, honor, and glory. Praise stills the enemy!
--BSW/CM--"Graves Into Gardens"//Elevation Worship (ft. /Brandon Lake)<https://youtu.be/mPhJdvf8Zvg>
~~~~~~~~~~

---GOD OF JUSTICE ~~

---"I trust in your unfailing love, Lord. I know that You are in control of all things. Loving God, help me to trust You even when I can't see what You're doing.
I'm thankful I can rest in your goodness and faithfulness today in the Name above all other names, JESUS~" ~~ amen"


--GOD OF JUSTICE ~~

--"She was perhaps the greatest "scapecow" in history. We don't know if her name was Daisy, Madeline, or Gwendolyn (each name has been suggested), but Mrs. O'Leary's cow was to blame fro the 1871 Great Chicago Fire that left every third resident of the city homeless. Carried by strong winds through wooden structures, the fire burned for three days and took the lives of nearly three-hundred people.

For years, many believed the fire began when the cow knocked over a lantern left burning in a shed. After further investigation--126 years later--the city's Committee on Police and Fire passed a resolution exonerating the cow and her owners and suggesting the activities of a neighbor warranted scrutiny.

Justice often takes time, and Scripture acknowledges how difficult that can be. The refrain , "How long" is repeated four times in Psalm 13: "How long LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?" (vv. 1-2). But in the middle of his lament, David finds reason for faith and hope: "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation" (v. 5)." (v.5).

Even when justice is delayed, God's love will never fail us. We can trust and rest in Him not just for the moment but for eternity.
We don't understand His ways. His ways are past our finding out. We must keep believing and trusting in our Rock, Savior, and Redeemer. Sometimes He says yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait. He knows what He is doing and allowing. "Speak to us, Lord through Your Word." ~~We keep trusting and keep praying. Jesus is in control. ~~~~

--ODB/JB~.
--"When You Speak" // Jeremy Camp (lyrics) //<https://youtu.be/S47eU76udKw>
~~~~~~~~

--"I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
You are my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. ~~ [Psalm 18:1-2]

---LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER ~~ BEWARE OF THE ENEMY ~~

--"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer."
---[2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) ] --

----As my friend Charlie Daniels told me, soldiers do not go to hard places because they want to travel; they go because someone sent them there. That we have an enemy is made clear throughout God’s Word, and He has sent us on assignment into enemy territory. Peter says that our enemy, the Devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Paul says that we must put on the armor of God so that when the day of evil presents itself, we’ll be able to stand (Ephesians 6:10-17). Revelation is a message to help us flourish at the end of the age and is specifically written to one group of people: those who overcome. I will weep with you over the disappointments in your life, and I’ll walk with you through the shadowed valleys. But we cannot withdraw when the enemy shows up. We must be prepared to endure hardship in order to please our Commanding Officer.

THINK ABOUT IT
We may not have a military perspective or background, but through His Word and the power of His Holy Spirit, God has given us the tools we need in order to obey, practice discipline, and endure hardship. His joy and pleasure in us will be our strength.

PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, thank You for recruiting me into Your service. Help me to desire pleasing You above all things. May I consider all aspects of my life as training for endurance and perseverance that I might be an overcomer for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
~~~~~~~

-"Father, today I bring You my needs and the needs of others,
confident that You will hear and answer, and grateful that it's
Your goodness and not my words that count. In Jesus Name."

---Having tried for years to have a child, Richard and Susan were elated when Susan became pregnant. Her health problems, however, posed a risk to the baby, and so Richard lay away each night praying for his wife and child. One night, Richard sensed he didn't need to pray so hard, that God had promised to take care of things. But a week later Susan miscarried. Richard devastated. He wondered Had they lost the baby because he hadn't prayed hard enough?

On first reading, we might think today's parable suggests so. In the story, a neighbor (sometimes thought to represent God) only gets out of bed to help the friend because of the friend's annoying persistence (Luke 11:5-8). Read this way, the parable suggests that God will give us what we need only if we badger Him. And if we don't pray hard enough, maybe God won't help us.

But biblical commentators like Klyne Snodgrass believe this misunderstands the parable--it's read point being that if neighbors might help us for selfish reasons, how much more will our unselfish Father. We can therefore ask confidently (vv. 9-10), knowing that God is greater than flawed human beings (11-13), isn't the neighbor in the parable, but the opposite of him.

I don't know why you lost your baby," I told Richard, "but I know it wasn't because you didn't pray 'hard' enough. God isn't like that."
[We know that all things work together for the good to those who love the Lord. ~ ~ (Romans 8:28).]
--ODB/SV~
~~~~~

--WISDOM PRAYER // THE LORD ANSWERS IN HIS WAY~~

--"Lord God, thank You for friends who help us see when we are are the roadblock to something
that needs to be done. Use us for Your glory." --

--"The end of a matter is better than it's beginning, and patience is better than pride."
---[Ecclesiastes 7:8/ NIV] -

---I WANT to completely declutter the basement before Thanksgiving, my wife, Pat said while we were out for a walk.

"I have a lot of stuff going on...Why do we need to do that now?" I questioned. Pat and I ad decided to downsize to a smaller home. Earlier that afternoon we had signed the final drawings for a new house. Construction wasn't scheduled to start for another six weeks, and Thanksgiving was less than a month away. "So, when do you want to start decluttering?" Pat asked. "In the winter--maybe after New Year's. We won't even be moving until late Spring, I replied. "But the time will go really fast," she said.

A few days later my friend Jim asked me how everything was going. I shared that I thought Pat was moving too fast with decluttering. "Just get out of the way and let her run with it," he said. Jim's words cycled through my mind. The next morning, I suggested to Pat that we pick a week, clear our schedules, and dedicate the time to totally declutting the basement. We agreed, selected a week, worked together, and got it done. Weeks before Thanksgiving, the basement was practically empty.

Finishing the decluttering freed us to handle all the unexpected things that popped up along the way. And when the builder sent a text saying the house would be ready a month early our time ;line dramatically accelerated--selling our current house, packing for the move, handling both closings. It was good Pat had a plan. What I had resisted at the start became a blessing. ~~

-"All things work together for good to those who love the Lord. To those who have been called according to his purpose."-[Romans 8:28]

--Guideposts/JD~
~~~~~~~~~

--"Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are the Constant in my life. Lead, guide and direct my steps for your glory."

--"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
---[Matthew 28:20] --
--
--It's late on a Thursday night. I feel exhausted. This week has worn me thin. I'm sitting at my kitchen table, spinning my cell phone on the tabletop.

--I desperately want to call Rachel. To tell her how much I miss her. To hear just a few syllables of her voice. She used to answer on the first ring. Now I don't even know if she would pick up.

I struggled when Rachel and I decided to go our separate ways. Lately, I've been doing better. I'm finally healing. But sometimes, when I'm tired and empty, I start to look back. I pick at emotional stitches until my would is red again.

I can think of several friends I could talk with right now. But I only want to talk with one person. Rachel understands me. She knows how I think and how I feel. But she's the one person I can't call.

I slide my phone across the table in frustration. It collides with a pile of books. My Bible is at the bottom. I haven't opened it this week. That strikes me as significant.

I'm mourning the loss of my best friend. My confidante. But I've pushed away the One who is always there for me. The One who will never stop listening. No wonder I feel empty inside.

I pull my Bible out from under the pile of books. A bookmark leads me back to where I left off. But before I start to read, I turn off my phone. Tonight, instead of miring in what I've lost, I'm moving toward what I can never lose. Thank You, Abba Father for always staying by my side. In Jesus Name" ~
--Guideposts/LE`

--"Heavenly Father, as I meet with others to worship and praise Your name, help me to also encourage others in Your name. Forgive me when I overlook the latter because I'm too preoccupied with myself."

--[Let us not [give] up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another. -[Hebrews 10:25] --

---I grew up the firstborn son of a Southern Baptist preacher. Every Sunday the expectation was clear: I was to be in church. Possible exceptions? Maybe if I had a significant fever. But the trust is, I absolutely loved going, and I even went a few times feverish. But he world has changed, and the numbers for regular church attendance are not what they used to be. Of course, the quick question is why? The answers are many and varied. Author Kathleen Norris counters those answers with a response she received from a pastor to the question, "Why do we go to church?" "We go to church for other people. Because someone may need you there."

Now by no means is that the only reason, but his response does resonate with the heartbeat of the writer to the Hebrews. We are urged to 'believers' to persevere in the faith, and to achieve that goal he stressed "not giving up meeting together" (Hebrews 10:25). Why? Because something vital would be missed in our absence: "encouraging one another" (v.25). We need that mutual encouragement to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (v. 24).

Bothers and sisters, keep meeting together, because someone may need you there. And the corresponding truth is that you may need them as well. ~~

--ODB/JB~