Morning by Morning new mercies I see!

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT)

I had forgotten about this verse until now! When I read it I instantly thought of the great hymn "Great is Thy Faithfullness." It is so fitting this time of year when the snow has melted and the temperatures are slowly starting to rise. The sunshine brightens our mood and there is an air of hope. Yes, it is spring time.  The seasons are like a microcosm of our lives. God says we will go through troubles. We will endure the "winters" of our lives. But, spring always comes. Morning always follows darkness. 

My life is very much like the changing of the seasons. Just look back on the past posts of this blog and you will see marvelous springtimesf that come after horrible winters. Pain and suffering in life are not permanent. They last only a short season. God promises it and he also promises if you rely on him you will emerge victorious even defeating death. I know it to be true because I also have endured the trials of life, poor decisions, and sickness. But Great is his faithfulness! I am now in the springtime of my life. I see nothing but Gods mercies! Praise God!

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your wonderful Faithfullness and the great mercies you renew every morning of my life. I am humbled by your love and grace. May I serve you everyday through my thoughts, words, and deeds. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Amen and Amen!

It's 4 below zero!

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” (John 11:9-10 NIV)

I can't wait for spring, warm temperatures, more daylight, and spring break. It's coming, but not soon enough. I'm looking forward to is long walks, riding bikes, motorcyle rides, mowing my lawn, and just embracing the sunshine.

Florida, warmth, and the lazy days of spring break are just the thing I need to get me going. It's 4 below zero right now and the week is filled with subzero temperatures in the forecast. But, my hope is rising. I went to the International Motorcycle Show yesterday, it's like a Robin showing up in my yard. I've also noticed the days are getting noticeably longer.

I think many of us that live in the north are enamoured with warmth and sunshine. We need the light. I wish we were just as infatuated with Jesus. I wish we had as much hunger for the Lord as we have for the beaches or riding motorcycles. So many people live their lives in the grips of "Winter". Jesus is our "Spring". He is our warmth, he's our sunshine, he is our savior. He is everything we need in all seasons. Praise God for his love and grace.

Repitition, repitition, repitition!

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:15-16 NIV)

When I read my devotions last night, the author talked about how repetitive the gospel message is. He shared a story of a new pastor that shared the same sermon every week for the first three weeks at his new church. The congregation asked why, he said, "When you start living out this sermon, I'll change to a different one. This verse refers to Jesus as the light. Yep, I have heard that many times before. I probably should hear it many more times.

I world is such a dark place. There is evil everywhere and we need the light of Jesus more today than ever. As Christians it is easy to get overwhelmed by the darkness and develop an attitude of hopelessness. Have we forgotten the light that lives in our hearts? Have we/I forgotten that we have already won the victory! The light of Jesus will overcome the darkness and will reign forever. 

Our memories are as short as those of the Israelites delivered from Pharoah. We ourselves can be a light in the darkness through the light that dwells inside us. I shouldn't live life like I've been defeated. I AM VICTORIOUS through Jesus! Praise God! Let your light shine! Sy it over and over again! I am victorious through Jesus Christ! Praise God! Say it again!

One Way!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)

I was watching a video mission statement of one of my students the other day. The student included a movie clip of a graduate touting, "There is nothing forever, live in the moment......" It struck me how wrong that is. There is one thing that has lasted forever since the beginning of time and that one thing is God, the father. He is the beginning and the end. He was, is , and is to come. 

Our world is so mixed up. We have greatly complicated this life with ideas like their is nothing that lasts forever, or there is no truth, there is no ONE way! I hate to burst their bubble. They are wrong. This verse and dozens more, in the bible, state clearly the only way to life eternal is through Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior, we WILL live in eternity, forever. Life will continue because of Gods deep love for us! It hasn't changed before now and never will. 

It is critical for me to be a light in all places to share that ONE way to those who don't know it! It's critical for all believers to be that light! 

The purpose of a light bulb!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NIV)

This is such a tricky concept. If you read it wrong it sounds like you are supposed to brag about your good deeds in front of others. You might also read it to say make sure you do your good deeds so others will see them. I don't see either of these interpretations as being accurate.

When I walk into a dark room I turn on the light to see. Why? 

I don't turn the light on so I can see the light bulb, I turn it on so I can see the room. 

A lightbulb's purpose is not to bring glory to itself. It's purpose is to shine on the glory of the room. In the same way I am not letting my own light shine to give glory to myself, but give Glory to the Father. I do not do the good deeds, serve others, or worship to put the spotlight to my own selfish pride. I do those things out of a desire to bring Glory to God. My motives have to be pure and clear.

Doing good deeds and glorifying God have to go together. I need to make sure I check my motives on a regular basis. Am I a member of CMA for my own glory or Gods. Do I teach for my own purposes or  for Gods? It is so easy to fall in to the trap of selfishness.

How do I keep from focusing on me? First, you need to stay in contact with God. Just one day a week isn't going to do it. Regular devotions when you rise and when you go to bed is a minimum. Prayer constantly, am/pm and many times in between are a must. Worship and fellowship with people who share your passion for God. All of these things together will help us focus our light on others, not focusing others on us. Praise God his power, grace, and mercy are given to me to help me serve in his way!

Daylight Savings Time

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19 NKJV)

Daylight savings time ends this weekend. I'm sorry to see it go. I know it's not popular, but I love it during the summer. Sure, Saturday night it will take a while to reset the clocks and there are some businesses that it hurts. There are also some that it helps. Regardless, getting those extra hours of daylight on the motorcycle is awesome or the extra fun times on the beach more than make up the inconveniences. The dark and gloom of winter is just around the corner and I will long for the sun drenched afternoons of summer. I love the light. 

I do know people who love the night. They don't really come to life until after hours. Night, to me, has one sole purpose.............SLEEP! Yet, these night owls don't see it the same way. They want to party all night. In my 53 years of life there is more harm than good taking place at night. 63% of rapes and 71% of car thefts occur at night. (Wiki.answers.com) Night time is a time for no good.

When Jesus came to this earth, he brought with him a great light. People didn't notice it then and they are still not noticing. Jesus Christ is our light. He destroys darkness and the evil accompanying it. Bring his light into this cold dark world. We need the warmth, the light, and the Love!