There is still time and space for a lot of good living that brings glory to God! No man can afford to miss this hour of ”’death bed decisions.”

Life is a journey with sign boards. These pointers appear in all our twists and turns of life. It appears in forms of diseases and disasters, bereavement and belittling. Look and see. Watch and wait on signals and sign boards. This is the only safe way to stay with Him without getting into the rut of legalism and license…it’s not too late for God’s personal Message!

“Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins” (Joel2:12 MSG)!

He is calling us back to Himself and it is the safest and only hiding place. Returning to God is all that is required. A changed life from inside out is the need of the hour. Our perspective and perspiring is to aligned to His plan and purpose. He will cancel the catastrophe and make up for the years that the locusts have eaten. He will pour out His spirit to guide and guard us. He has given us space and time to take this death bed decision!

This space and time will be available until His patience dries up. This last hour’s decision is the saving grace for us and our children.

Every sensible man returns to God, as he experiences the unusual fire that burns the bush. He looks and looks and asks God,”Why?” The God of the burning bush will be vocal to voice His plan for us and the people for whom God has made us responsible. Are we patient to look and listen to the voice of God?

Some nuggets to reflect. Memorize these promises to have a renewed mind and respond to His passion for you!
*Seven-Ups*

1. Wake Up!
Decide to have a good day.
Psalms 118:24- ”Today is the day that the Lord hath made; let us
rejoice and be glad in it.”

2. Dress Up!
The best way to dress up is to wear the right attitude. An expression of gratitude is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
Samuel 16:7- ”The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at
the heart.”

3. Shut Up!
Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us
two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us
to do twice as much listening as talking.

Proverbs 13:3- “He who guards his lips guards his soul.”

4. Stand Up!
For what you believe in. Stand for something or you
will fall for anything.
Galatians 6:9-10-”Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the
proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give
up. Therefore, as we have opportunity let us do
good…”

5. Look Up!
To the Lord.
Philippians 4:13- ”I can do everything through Christ who strengthens
me.”

6. Reach Up!
For something higher.
Proverbs 3:5-6- ”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean
not unto your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”

7. Lift Up!
Your prayers.
Phillipians 4:6- ”Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT
EVERYTHING.”

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on
it. If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He
sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every
morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen.
He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose
your heart. What about the Christmas gift He sent you
in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary.
Face it, He’s crazy about you.

Remember … God answers knee-mail!

*From “Seven-Ups” from Roger Daniels modified to suit our need.

Ps. 11:3-“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The answer is simply… if we do any thing, that will certainly grieve the master. Attached is a quote to help you dialogue with God!

“In the spiritual life, the word ‘discipline’ means ‘the effort to create some space in which God can act’. Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you’re not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied… to create that space in which something can happen that you hadn’t planned or counted on.”
-Henri Nowen

Confessions

1. I do ‘t want to add anything to my feather. You are my feather. You are more than feather-the crown of my life!
2. I don’t belong to any organization or denomination. I am exclusively yours and will remain yours!
3. I did what I could with what I had. That may be a drop in the ocean, but without that drop the ocean would still be incomplete!
4. I have nothing to complain about or find fault with. If anything is wrong, it is because I am wrong!
5. God has given me more than my share. More than what I “deserve.” He has richly supplied from the resources whenever and wherever required- in the very hour of my need!
6. You are always available to give more; more than I can imagine or think!

God is love. This love is sacred and sacrificial. He loves all
passionately and without partiality. The love of God crosses all
barriers and boundaries of culture and country, education and economy.
It will not diminish with time. The extent of His passion is
exhibited in paying off our debt on that cruel cross.

But one thing is for certain. It can be experienced by only those who fear
Him. Those of us who are repentant, broken and trembles at His word
will experience this rich relationship. For others it is simply an
account that is available but not cashed. The fear of God  will enable
us to experience His goodness for generations as David sings in Psalms.

“God’s love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who
fear him, Making everything right for them and their children” (Psalm
103:17 MSG).

“Do you love me more than these?”

This is Jesus question to all of us today.
He repeats…Do you truly love me? Do you respect and honor and fear
me to obey all that I commanded? Are you serious?

” A son honors  his  father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a
father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’
says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you
say, ‘How have we despised Your name? (Malachi 1:6 NASB).”

“But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it,
but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,”
says the LORD of hosts, “and My name is feared among the nations”
(Malachi 1:6, 14 NASB).
Truly presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice in fear and
faithfulness is the mark of honoring Him as King. Mark the words of
David in 2 Sam 24:24-“I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt
offerings that costs me nothing”

A healthy fear of God is the healing touch required in this hour- as most are
loosing the fear of God and God appointed authority structure. It is not
only in the unbelievingly world, but also found among believers.
God is too familiar to be feared!  We are in deep trouble. Let us
repent and return, so that we may enjoy that rich relationship!

Our body needs balanced food, exercise and rest to enjoy life and to last its earmarked tenure.

Marriages and political careers are ruined by those who indulge their bodies despite the warnings of Scripture and common sense. Whole industries have sprung up to help us get in touch with or beautify our bodies. The phrase, “If it feels good, do it,” has become idiotic. The medical professions are held in high esteem as practitioners seek to give us long (or even endless) life.

And yet evangelical Christians have struggled to keep up. Truth be told, we’re still a little uncomfortable with the whole notion of the physical. Our efforts to respond to the culture seem to swing wildly from denial to licentiousness.

Yet Scripture is clear that we cannot live an authentic, robust Christian life without the body—either now or in eternity—because we are the embodied creations of a God who became flesh for us.

Read, Think and Apply the following :

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 1:26–31; Luke 1:26–38; John 20:24–29; 1 Corinthians 6:12–20;

Ephesians 5:21–33

GUIDE

• Identify the Current Issue

• Discover the Eternal Principles

—Teaching point one: The body (male and female) was God’s idea.

—Teaching point two: God honored the body for all time by taking on human flesh.

—Teaching point three: The bodily resurrection is critical to our faith.

—Teaching point four: Our bodies belong to God.

—Teaching point five: A proper understanding of God’s love can transform our relationships, body and soul.

• Apply Your Findings

BE FIT LIKE A FIDDLE!

Philippians 4:13-“I believe nothing is too difficult for me because nothing is impossible for the God who lives in me.”

Romans 8:28-“I believe even the biggest challenges in my life can be redeemed for my good and His glory.”

Rom 5:8- I believe I am loved just as I am and called to become even more like Jesus every day.”

Philippians 1:6- “I believe that He isn’t finished with me yet and is able to complete the good work begun in me.”

Romans 8:32-39-“I believe I am an over-comer, more than a conqueror, and nothing will keep God from carrying out His plans!”

Indeed our tears are valuable in the eyes of God. The value increases
beyond all our imagination as we submit and serve.

You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless
nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your
book” (Ps. 56:8 MSG).

We come into the planet earth with a cry and continue crying until the day that we
leave. Then others will cry. God  has a ledger to log our tears and
He initiates action on His mercies that never come to an end.

Jesus Cried in submission.

He is revered as a the Man of Sorrows. He submitted to the one who could
save Him from death. He cried with Martha and Mary, the people whom He
loved.

Heb 5:7 MSG- “While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried
out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to
God. Because he honored God, God answered him…”

Paul cried in service

Paul served in tears as he poured out His love in others. He saw the
tears of Timothy and was moved to reach him

Acts 20:19 NIV- “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears
and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish
opponents.”

Hezikiah cried for survival.

2 Kings 20:5 NIV- “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people,
‘This is what the lord, the God of your father David, says: I have
heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third
day from now you will go up to the temple of the lord.”

God changed His plan once he saws the tears, but the son born during this
extended life (King Manassseh) did more evil than all the kings ruled
before him.

God will wipe all tears away.

God is keeping a record of all our tears. He makes the redressal from
time to time, but He will wipe all our tears and our joy will be
complete in Him.

Rev 21:4- “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no
more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things
has passed away.”

Let our tears flow as we submit. Let our humility and tears be known
to all as we serve. All tears whether for our survival, comfort and cozy
living can be traded in- for submission and service in His Kingdom. May our tears
be tears of value in the Master’s ledger!

God Multiplies

God multiplied the five bread and two fish from the boy who was willing to give.

Mark 6:41-”He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish.”

God Appreciates

He appreciates and give more when we show faithfulness in what He has given.

Matthew 25:2-1″His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.”

God  Empowers

Moses felt helpless and weak in doing what God asked him to do. God enquired of him by asking, “What do you have in hand? He replied, “a stick.” He put  it on the ground and God turned it into a snake. He was focusing on his limitations and he was taught a lesson. He was taught to look at the strength of the One who assigned him the job!
Exodus 4:3-”Throw it on the ground.” He threw it. It became a snake; Moses jumped back-fast!”

Count your blessing one by one. We are here to be a blessing in other’s lives!

Abraham’s son became a sacrifice and David’s son is the greatest of all kings. In Jesus, we have the greatest sacrifice to become the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords-one greater than Solomon.

Abraham epitomized three things via Faith, Obedience and Sacrifice. He was willing to lift the knife to sacrifice the promised son in obedience and he believed if required God could raise him up. That faith was reckoned as righteousness. He became the shadow of the great sacrifice in Jesus Christ.

God was willing to spare Abraham’s son, but gave up His only son for you and me. And all who exercise faith are from the seed of Abraham.

David young and in experienced answered the challenge of hybrid Goliath with this statement “Who is this Heathen philistine to defy the armies of the living God.” He was zealous to fight and die to uphold the honor of the people of God and the glory of the God of Israel. God approved his heart in spite of his moral failures and mess created in the family.

Both valued God’s word and His honor. They were willing to put aside all logic and reasoning to exercise faith and placed their life in subordination to God and His plan.

They were indeed far from perfection, but they had a dimension that received appreciation and approval of God. It is no wonder that they are special in the eyes of God!
‘
The good news is that we could also be special, if we have those dimensions of Faith, Obedience and Sacrifice in our attitudes and activities.