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 Given February 15, 2009
Do you remember how, when you were a kid, you would lay on your back in the yard, look up at the clouds, and “see” objects? “Look, there’s an elephant, and over there, that looks like Mickey Mouse.” “How about that one? It looks like a train.” Did you do that too? Oh, what good times; enjoying God’s creation on a warm summer day. Maybe I’ll try that tomorrow…
We can see God in His creation if we look and He will remind us of things in the strangest places. Take my upstairs bathroom for instance. The floor covering has a marble-like pattern in it and one day I noticed what looked like a bear claw. I had an oval-shaped foot with toes and curved claws sticking from each. I thought, “How cool!” I began looking for other things. Then, over to the right and up a little, there it was. The image you see here; an oval body, round head, stick arms raised up, and, don’t you know, a circle around the head like a halo! It looked to me like a little guy with his arms raised praising God! I call him my little praise guy. Do you see him?
I see God in a lot of places and He shows me things about everywhere I go: “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Psalms 139:8. It doesn’t take much to see God in the Spring of the year when His creation comes to life again. But if we look, I think we can see Him about anywhere. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. Try it right now or tomorrow or whenever. Comment back with what you see. Be blessed!
 Given November 2009
Most of us have experienced the frustration of attempting to get information or help on the telephone. After hearing a recorded voice saying, “Press 1 for this and 14 for that…”, we finally get to the place we need, (maybe), only to hear, “Due to the high volume of calls, your call will be answered in the order that it was received.” Then, sometimes after waiting on hold forever, you finally get to talk to a real person only to find that their foreign accent cannot be understood! You apologize, hang up in frustration, and maybe try again.
Compare the above with God. You have a problem or need an answer and you give God a call, (prayer). He answers right away, Himself, (”Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” Jeremiah 33:3), not a recording or a receptionist; you have a direct line to the Boss. You can explain your problem if you want, (He already knows exactly what it is, ”…your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8), and then you ask for help. You WILL get the answer, (”Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7). Now, it might be an immediate revelation of something you’d not thought of, it may require you to do something first, or you may be required to correct something in yourself before moving forward. The answer could be, “Yes”, “No”, “Do this first”, or “Be patient child, I’m working on it.”
God’s tech support is infallible, it’s never wrong. He is the expert, He wants to help you more than you want to be helped, and you can always trust His judgment. And besides, He’s family, He’s your father! Call Him for support today.
 Given February 20, 2010
As I made coffee this Saturday morning before my devotion, God gave me one of His revelations. There was the cup of black coffee and as I poured in the light-colored liquid creamer, I noticed I couldn’t see any difference in the color. I realized the creamer must be heavier than the coffee and had sunk to the bottom. But… as I began to stir this concoction, the creamer came to the top then spread throughout the drink, permeting every part. Immediately, the scripture in 2 Timothy came to my mind: “Why I put you in remembrance that you stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6. Good advice from Paul to Timothy; that he had to stir up the gift that was in him and not just let it sit there.
The same is good advice for us. We all who are saved have the gift of God within us, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1: 4-5. That gift is given to each of us for a purpose but we have to stir it up so it is distributed throughout our being diluting and overpowering the darkness that was born in us. Read and listen to God’s Word, pray, study, and put into practice what you learn and what God speaks to you. Let’s get to work…stir it up!
 Given January 29, 2010
Communication is a good thing. We’d have a difficult time surviving without it and that’s why one of the worst punishments in prison is Solitary Confinement where one is totally isolated from others. But, as we know, WE are never totally alone; “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. He’s always there listening, ready to communicate.
Now think about our technology today as it relates to communication. We can have instant, varied, 24-7 contact with whomever we choose if we and they have the right “gadgets”. Wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, no matter the time of day, we can get a ring, vibration, beep, bell, buzz, song, or about any sound to alert us that someone wants to communicate with us. And what do most of us do? We immediately respond. Oh, technology is great, isn’t it? What if God had a cell phone? Hmmmmm….
“..but the Lord was not in the wind…but the Lord was not in the earthquake…but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:12-13. God, through the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, is standing ready at all times to communicate with us. But He is a gentleman and won’t interrupt; He gently calls in a whisper. Too many times we expect the ring, vibration, or ding to know He’s there. Or, we have the TV too loud, the fans cheering in our ears, or the cares of this world blasting our senses. The still, small voice cannot be heard. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice…”. Revelation 3:20.
Go to a quiet place, turn off the technology, and whisper a prayer, “Lord, I’m here. What do you want to say to me?”
 Given November 29, 2009
We’ve all received these mailings from companies teasing us with “Pre-approved”, “0%”, and “Free Gift”, all trying to lure us into their camp. Some of the hooks are pretty interesting but I got one recently that really caught my attention. It said, “Pre-Forgiven”. It was from an insurance company offering to forgive me for an accident in my future with tagline, “Open to find out how. *”. Notice the asterisk? There must be a catch to it, look out!
As with many things lately, my mind immediately thinks of something spiritual in this. Pre-forgiven…..hmmm… “I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.” 1 John 2:12. Yes that’s right, our sins have already been forgiven by the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. We ARE pre-forgiven. But let us not miss the key, we have to accept that forgiveness. We have to open the Word of God to, “find out how”and there’s no catch to it; it’s available and we just have to accept it. “..whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21.
But there is a warning the apostle Paul gives us, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?“ Romans 6:1-2. The fact that we are pre-forgiven does not give us the freedom to go on sinning depending on the grace of God to keep on forgiving us. That’s the wrong attitude. So open that envelope, (the Bible), and find out how you are “Pre-forgiven”.
You might be interested in another take on this topic from the blog of Emily-Sarah Lineback at: http://whitlineink.com/lifeinfirstperson/?p=518&cpage=1.
Given January 25, 2010 
What does it take to be a superstar for God? What does it take to be a superstar in anything? You might say dedication, talent, work, luck, inherited ability, sacrifice or many other factors. You might say a star athlete was born with natural abilities that destine him or her to reach a level of performance others could never reach. And it’s true but that person would not fulfill their potential siting on the couch. What about a world-class musician. They would of course need some God-given talent but along with that must be added years of practice; developing and perfecting that talent. A person without the in-born talent could dedicate all their time to practice but may never reach the level of the one born with it. What do top runners do? They run! What do top singers do? They sing! Do you see where I’m going with this? People who want to be highly successful in any endeavor must give themselves to it. It must consume their thoughts, actions, and desires.
So, what does it take to be a top follower of Christ? You have to “give” yourself to Him; His Word, precepts, commands, thoughts, and actions. If you do this, you will develop into a superstar for Him, He will get all the glory, and you will want it that way. “But wait a minute! I thought you said superstars are first born with the talent and abilities. I was born a regular person.” Yes you were but, when you were BORN AGAIN, you got the superstar genes! God recreated you to do good works,(Ephesians 2:10), and all that Jesus did, you can do; (John 14:12), you’re born to do it! But you gotta get off the couch!
One more thing. It’s never about you and your fame. As the image above depicts, Jesus was a spiritual superstar but He was a servant to all. Go and do likewise.
Given February 2008
People who use computers are familiar with files and folders. Computer folders are like file folders in file cabinets, a place to store items organized in a structure where they can be easily found. There can be folders inside folders which are inside other folders…on and on. When you look at a computer folder or file cabinet, you don’t really know what all is inside.
Imagine a “God” folder. You see a little plus sign next to it indicating there are other folders inside. Some people never “click” on the plus sign to see what else is in there. There’s also “Jesus” and “Holy Spirit” folders with plus signs. You open the Jesus folder and see Salvation, Blessings, Healing, Provision, Mercy, Grace, etc. all with plus signs. As John Bevere says on our Wednesday nights DVD curriculum “Are you seeing this?”. Inside every folder are other folders and files of the good things God has for us; an infinite number of things, and most people, Christians included, never expand the folder structure to see what is there.
“For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36. The Bible, prayer, and fellowship with God’s people is where you will find the folders with the plus signs. Go there and “click” and keep on clicking to see the wonders God has for us all.
 Given October 2006The idea or concept of giving is mentioned throughout the Bible. The story of the “Widow’s Mite” (Mark 12:41-44), illustrates how Jesus feels about giving small amounts. He also says in 2 Corinthians 9:10, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;”. Seed is a small thing but God will use it to multiply and feed many. Also, remember the fishes and loaves?The concept of Kingdom Coins is the dame thing. Watch this video done for a local TV program which tells the story: http://cablecountry.tricitiesblogs.com/cablecountry/article/kingdom_coins/38893/ There is also a website related to this concept at: http://kingdomcoins.org. My desire is that everyone who reads this will think about starting a Kingdom Coin project of your own. God will bless you for it and His people will be blessed.
 Given January 5, 2010
I wrote recently about God’s plan for each of us and that He DOES have a plan for us and things He wants us to do in this life. More on that today. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29. God knew us before we were born and we are set up to be like Jesus. That’s awesome but, of course, we have a free will to make the choice to go with God’s plan or one of our own. I want God’s plan, how about you? Also it says in the old testament that God knew Jeremiah even before he was born and had great things for him to accomplish. “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5. God told Jeremiah that He knew him even before he was born and He already had a plan for him. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. If He did it for Jeremiah, He’ll do it for us! Have you found God’s plan for you yet?
Given January 4, 2009 
A couple of revelations to encourage you:
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesisns 2:10. If you ever think you are worthless or not needed, repeat this verse. God prepared some good works to be done then made you to do them. You were created for a purpose and God wants you to fulfill it.
“But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:18 & 27. Just think about it; in this grand plan that God has, He made a place for each of us and He has placed us in and among each other to do our part. We are just in the place He wanted us to be and if we all work togethr, the “body” will thrive. I want to do my part. How about you?
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