When we begin with the Lord its like a raging fire was set in our hearts. We feel renewed, refreshed and restored. But as life goes on and things become routine that flame doesn't burn so bright.

I think sometimes you get up on Sunday and think, oh I am feeling lazy or tired, I will just miss today.

Daniel Brown once shared a vision he once had. In his vision he saw a boat and in the bottom of the boat was the ballast stones, they were the very things that steadied the boat in a time of storms, they kept the boat from capsizing, they make the boat steady and true. But the Lord showed him that the stones in this boat had become pumice, gravel, they had lost their purpose. The very thing that had steadied the vessel has lost the intended purpose. The Lord told Him that this is what happens when the word becomes stale in your life. The word is alive and we need to be being refreshed by it, renewed in it, stirring it up.

If we don't make the word alive, rekindle the word and our relationship with the Lord, if serving God doesn't stay at the center of our lives, our ballast stones will become pumice and lose their power to steady our course.

Today:

Steady your course by:

1. Returning to the Lord with the same hunger as when you begin.
2. Remember the victories the Lord has given you..
3. Rejoice in the God who spared nothing to reach and save you.

We should always rejoice to be near and worship our Lord.

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the lord.” Psalm 122:1

Even from the Cross, Jesus shouted "Father Forgive Them..."

They had just beaten Him to the point just before death, forced Him to carry the final instrument of His death to a place they called the skull. But in an "ACT" of "Ultimate" love He spoke the words I think would change the way we love.

"Forgive Them..."

• Forgiveness is Love at it's greatest.
• Forgiveness is not about getting out, but rather about getting free.
• Forgiveness is just as much for the giver as it is the receiver.

The Bible says:

Love keeps No Record of Wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5)

As you read this if you are reminded of someone who hurt you, disappointed you or some other pain, forgive them. Just tell the Lord: "I choose to forgive them."

Imagine if the Lord kept a record of our wrongs, we would not be able to stand. But the Lord shows His love through the act of forgiveness, that we might view Him in such a ways that we would not want to sin as to disappoint such a loving father.

Thank you Lord for your Word.

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
~Psalm 130:3-4

Are You Rejoicing Today?

David said "No wonder" you ever say that? You know, it is that moment you realize something amazing right? The whole picture becomes clear and you get it, you stop take a breath and say "No wonder!"

David's heart was glad and he rejoiced because He understood that God had his back. He understood that His blessings and favor came from God, that even what He had God provided and watched over.

Three truths about God to make you say "No Wonder!" today:

1. God provides all that you need (so plug into Him.)
2. God watches over all that He has provided for you ( so trust Him.)
3. God brings direction and clarity to your life (so walk with Him.)

Today I hope that like me you are Rejoicing and that your Heart is Glad and that you had a "No Wonder" moment.

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety. ~Psalm 16:9

Solomon marveled that the very same God who created all things, who could be at every point of the universe would want to inhabit a Temple that was built by human hands. I guess when you think about it, Solomon is right it is something to marvel at, but I believe the greater thing to marvel about is that He chose us, to send His Son, to live among us, to show the extent of His love was limitless.   

John 3:16 says that "God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son,"  see that's what we should see is it's about relationship.   God wants a relationship with you and I and there is no length too deep that He would not go to have one.   

The question for you today is, how far have you gone , or will you go, to be a part of this relationship, to get to know your creator, to know the God who loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die for your sins.  Today when you marvel at this thought I hope that it encourages you to reevaluate your relationship with God.

18“But will God really live on earth among people? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! ~2 Chronicles 6:18

Those are the words of Jesus to Jarius,

I believe that all too often we believe there is "no hope."

That not even Jesus can help us in our situation.

I think we have all said those words:

• "Don't bother"
• "It's too late"
• "It's done now."

It is then that we limit the power of Christ, we limit what God is able to do by our understanding of what we are able to do.    But what is impossible for you and I, it is possible for God, Luke 18:27. 

Jesus told Jarius "Don't be afraid, just believe."

You and I should never be afraid to ask Him for healing, never afraid  to allow the miraculous power of Christ to work in our lives:

• To heal us
• To ressurect the dead areas
• To help us live as God intended us too

Today whatever area of your life you need healing in ask Christ make it whole, ask Him to resurrect the dead things in your life, Heal me... I believe. Don't allow fear and unbelief rob you of your victory today.

Mark 21:35-36 " While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore? 36 Overhearing[a] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

~Mark 21:35-42