Seek God's Guidance.....

Hi...

As we begin each day, we need to sit in the Lord's presence not just to thank and Praise Him but also to seek His guidance.

David prayed..

Psalm 25:

4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
       teach me your paths;

 5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
       for you are God my Savior,
       and my hope is in you all day long.

Do we desire to receive God's guidance in our everyday activities?

Primarily God guides us through HIS Word.

That's why we need to read His Word daily and also meditate on it.

Psalmist writes in..

Psalm 119:

 11 I have hidden your word in my heart
       that I might not sin against you.

 12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
       teach me your decrees.

 13 With my lips I recount
       all the laws that come from your mouth.

 14 I rejoice in following your statutes
       as one rejoices in great riches.

 15 I meditate on your precepts
       and consider your ways.

 16 I delight in your decrees;
       I will not neglect your word.

God's Word not only guides us, it shows us the right path, keeps us from sin and so much more.

We need to hide God's word in our hearts.

It's good to start memorizing scriptures. We can start with a scripture a week.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
       and a light for my path.

We need a lamp to show us the path when we walk in the dark. To walk through the darkness of sin around us and to keep us from falling into temptations we need God's Word. It helps us stay in the light and walk the right path.

Psalm 119: 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
       I have put my hope in your word.

So from tomorrow let's rise early morning and commit our ways to Our Lord.

Let's read His Word and meditate on it.

Sometimes we fail to get sleep at night..then let's pray & read God's Word. God may speak to us or show us something in His Word.

Psalm 119:  148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
       that I may meditate on your promises.

Be Blessed,

Remember...

Have a blessed week...

YSIC,

Julia

He is more than enough...

Hi...

When we have nothing left but God....

HE is more than enough.....

Let's live this life for HIM!!

JESUS CHRIST our Lord said,

He'll never leave or forsake us.

Julie

Encouragement to those who have lost a loved one ... (Compiled)

In times like these, it's hard to find
The words that will provide
the kind of comfort you deserve
to help your pain subside.

In times like these, how can I show
the depth of my own grief...
to know your heart is broken now
and longing for reprieve?

If I could take away your grief
and change the hand of fate
I'd do it quickly just for you
but God has His own way.

In life we find such sorrow
but in heaven there is rest
loved ones go when they are called
(and God has called the best)

Our human hearts can't comprehend
what waits beyond the door...
but as we wait, I'll pray for you
while on this earthly shore.

May these few words bring comfort
to your brokenness and pain...
That in the midst and stormy skies,
the sun will shine again !

" Life is eternal, and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight."

" Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."

" Grief is not meant to be avoided or feared; it is meant to be worked through."

" For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity."

" He heals the brokenhearted, and binds their wounds." (Psalm 147:3 NASB)

" Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you: He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." (Psalm 55:22 NASB)

" Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

" The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you." (2 Chronicles 15:2 NIV)

" The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks Him."

 (Lamentations 3:25 NIV)

 We feel so sad when those we love
Are called to live in the home above,
But why should we grieve when they say good-bye
And go to dwell in the cloudless sky?

For they have but gone to prepare the way,
And we'll meet them again some happy day,
For God has told us that nothing can sever
A life He created to live forever.

So let God's promise soften our sorrow
And give us new strength for a brighter tomorrow..."

" THE BROKEN CHAIN "

(A poem...)  
We little knew that morning
that God was going
to call your name.
In Life we loved you dearly
In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
you did not go alone;
for part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,
your love is still our guide,
and though we cannot see you,
you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again !

" The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
(Psalm 34:18) " Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

" Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." (Romans 12:15)
" Tears are permitted to us, but they must glisten in the light of faith and hope." ( C.H. Spurgeon )
" In Heaven, we will see that nothing, absolutely nothing, was wasted, and that every tear counted and every cry was heard." ( Joni Eareckson Tada )
" Our valleys may be filled with foes and tears, but we can lift our eyes to the hills to see God and the angels." ( Billy Graham)

" No one is immune from the fact of grief. Grief is woven throughout the tapestry of life." ( Zig Ziglar)

" Don't be afraid to ask your Heavenly Father for anything you need. Indeed, nothing is too small for God's attention or too great for His power." " TEARS ARE PRAYERS, TOO " (Something to think about...)

Are we afraid the tears won't stop falling down like rain? That we might drown as we fight our fears. God bottles every tear that we cry. Think about it. We have cried oceans and rivers of tears of grief and sorrow as well as tears of happiness and joy since time began. Tears that travel to God even when we can't speak. These tears are prayers to God on the deepest level.

It is a known fact that in Bible lands and other middle eastern countries there was a tradition that when someone died, tears of those present were collected and placed in a bottle. This bottle was considered sacred for it represented all the sorrow of the family and was buried with the deceased. Many of these bottles have been found in ancient tombs. In ancient Rome, mourners filled small glass vials or cups with tears and placed them in burial tombs as symbols of love and respect. Sometimes people were even paid to cry into cups, as they walked along the mourning procession.

Those crying the loudest and producing the most tears received the most compensation. The more anguish and tears produced, the more important and valued the deceased person was perceived to be. In some war stories, women were said to have cried into tear bottles and saved them until their husbands returned. Their collected tears would show the men how much they were loved and missed.

God collects them to let us know he cares and takes notice of us not only when we cry tears of sorrow, pain, anguish, repentance, confession, and joy but in everything we do and say. God notices all our wanderings in this short earthly pilgrimage of ours. He loves us so much and is ever touched by our burdens, our anguish of heart, and feelings of infirmities.

If you notice that these tears are recorded in a book. The book is God's book of remembrance. Every word of tender pity, every act of sacrifice, every suffering, and sorrow for Christ's sake is faithfully recorded.
It amazing how one so powerful can love one so lowly as to know every tear that has fallen. He catches it one by one in his hands. To bottle them up for a time that is to come.

So remember that your tears do not fall in vain. There is one who holds each one in a bottle and write's it down in his book of remembrance. And I feel like that as he does this he feels our pain, too. He felt the pain of those mourning for Lazarus and the Bible says,"Jesus wept". (John 11:35) How profound are those words that as we weep that our God weeps with us. Now that is Love !
" You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book." ( Psalm 56:8 NLT)
" PRAYER "

ALMIGHTY GOD, we rejoice to know
that your reign extends far beyond the limits of this life.
In the mystery of what lies beyond our sight
we pray that your love may complete its work
in those whose days on earth are done;
and grant that we who serve you now in this world
may at last share with them
the glories of your heavenly kingdom;
through the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen !  " LOOKING AT THE HEAVENS " (Something to think about...)

I am finding myself looking at the heavens a lot more these days. I am trying to watch and enjoy as many sunrises and sunsets as I can, and I am letting their beauty fill my soul with happiness. I love seeing God paint the heavens with glorious reds, purples, pinks, oranges, and golds. I love gazing with wonder at these ever-changing masterpieces.

Every sunrise feels like God is welcoming us to a new day full of wonder and delight. Every sunset feels like God is kissing us goodnight and wishing us sweet dreams. Every time I look at them too I feel God’s peace and joy, and I know that I am loved by the greatest love imaginable.

Looking at the heavens helps me to feel the Heaven inside myself too. When I gaze at the sky and witness God’s glorious creation I want to thank God for my own life and all the wonderful blessings in it. When I stare at those beautiful sunrises and sunsets I happily remember that I am here to live a beautiful life full of peace and love myself. When I look at those bright heavens each day of my life I want to share the Heaven in my own soul as well.

Every day the sun rises again in the morning sky. It’s welcoming beauty and light is always there even if it is sometimes hidden by the clouds. Every evening the sun sets in the night sky but not without a promise of even more beauty and light the next day. Take some time today to look up at the heavens then. Take some time today to find the Heaven within yourself. Take some time today to make your own life a Heavenly light full of love, joy, peace, happiness, goodness, and delight.

Take some time today to share that light with the world and show others that they can do the same. Take some time today to remember that God loves you and wants you to live a life as joyful as the sunrise and as beautiful as the setting sun...
" When all else is gone, God is still left. Nothing changes Him."

" " GRANDMA' S HANDS "

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.
"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Grandma smiled and related this story: "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

"They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face. Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it
sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us
when nothing else can. It gives us reason to continue and
courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in.
Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.
Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes can not see it.
Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction.
Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and
nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it
can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the
darkest of places.

Never lose HOPE !

Never lose FAITH !! COMPILED

Good Morning ...A FRESH START.....

Hi.... Someone said.. "A morning is a wonderful blessing either cloudy or sunny." Because every new day is God's gift to us!! HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING!!! Morning stands for Hope, New Beginning, Giving us a fresh start for what we call life. Have a blessed day... Feel God's touch hear His voice and may His presence be your portion this day and always. God Bless each of you who pass by here. Julia Beginning Today Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so. Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today . Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration . This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better. Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life.I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others. Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement. Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image , my desire to succeed or my capacity to love. Beginning today I walk with renewed faith, Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future. Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world . But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles. Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy . . . admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music , pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath . . . pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures. Beginning today I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer . I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be. Beginning today. And every day. Just a thought, but as I often think of you and realize how much God loves you, sometimes I think we need to also love ourselves through His eyes.   God Bless . Author Unknown   GOD LOVES US, WE NEED TO LOVE HIM AND... WE NEED TO LEARN TO LOVE OURSELVES SO THAT WE CAN LOVE OTHERS AS OURSELVES!! Mark 12:33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Galatians 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Let it be known that you are God....

1 KINGS 18:36

"At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at Your command."

Hi......

Praise God for this day!

We need to pray the Lord will display His Awesome power, miraculous healings and for a great move of God on earth this day year.

We need to ask to receive. There are millions of souls out there that need to know the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and see and feel the splendor and power of the Almighty God who created this universe.

1 Chronicles 29:11

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.Millions still need to know there's healing, spiritual, emotional and physical in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and that HE IS THE ONLY WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

What are we going to do about it this day?

Our Lord has given each of us who know Him,

gifts and talents. 

Will we use these gifts to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, to show them the ONLY WAY for salvation?

Father God...

You are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

You are the Maker of Heaven and Earth

You made fire fall from Heaven when Elijah called out to you.

You are the same yesterday, today and forever Lord.

Work miracles amidst us O Lord this year.

We want to see supernatural, creative miracles so that this world will see your power and your glory.

Lord increase our faith to believe for miracles like Elijah did and more.

We today ask for a double portion of your anointing in our lives Lord.

Come Lord..move in and through us.

Use us as instruments that display Your Glory Lord.

Thank you Lord.

In Jesus Name,

Amen and Amen

Julia

Angels : Do You Believe In Angels? ... I Do!~Author: Dan Scarborough

Do You Believe In Angels? ... I Do!
Author: Dan Scarborough 

Early on Christmas Eve seventeen years ago, when funds were very low for the whole family, I received a phone call from my daughter who lived in Alabama at that time.  We had invited her, her husband and our first grandchild to come to our home for Christmas.  She told me that their old car had broken down and even though they could patch it up to “get to the store,” they did not feel they could negotiate the two “mountain ranges” between Scottsboro, AL and Marietta, GA.  I volunteered to drive over to Scottsboro in our old clunker to pick up the three of them (our daughter, her husband, and their “nearly” year-old son..... now a teenager.)

On the way, while I was driving along a straight, level stretch of road in the midst of a beginning snow storm... for no reason at all, the car began to hydroplane.  While traveling at 55 MPH the car made two complete revolutions in the middle of the road, all the time continuing down the middle of the highway.

Needless to say, I was praying aloud asking for protection in my situation.... eventually the car began drifting off to the right as it slowed (I had long since lifted my foot from the accelerator.)  Slowly, the car slid towards a ditch and a steep bank that rose immediately on the other side of the ditch.

The car finally came to an uneasy stop with a small jolt... nose first into the bank.

When I got out, I realized there was no traffic and no visible homes or businesses in sight in either direction.  I was wondering what to do next as I walked to the front of the car to see what damage had been done.   Suddenly, I heard a slight noise behind me.  A pick-up appeared out of nowhere and a smiling, bearded, burly guy with a cigar clenched firmly in his mouth rolled out from behind the steering wheel and walked up to me.

We spoke briefly about the situation.  I told him about the purpose of my trip and asked him about the store I had seen approximately three miles behind me.  I asked him if he could give me a lift there to see if they could find a wrecker.  He said the store had closed early for “Christmas Eve” and offered to see what he could do.  He quickly figured out a way to pull my vehicle out of the ditch.  There was no damage we could see, so he offered to follow me to a garage he knew about, five miles in the direction of Scottsboro, where we could check for undercarriage damage.

When we pulled up to the garage, I spoke briefly with him and offered to give him what cash I had for his help.  He refused and told me to have a good time with my family Christmas Eve.  Just before I walked towards the garage door to go in to speak to the owner, I asked him what kind of work he did.  He grinned as he shifted the cigar to one side of his mouth to reply, “I’m a carpenter.”  I noticed then his carpentry tools in the bed of his pickup, thanked him again for his help, and walked into the garage. 

The owner looked up from his desk, then asked where I came from and how I had found him.  I replied, “The guy behind me in the pickup truck brought me here.”

The owner then said, “What guy?  I watched you from the window as you came up the road.  After you pulled over, I assumed you were going to come in so I tended to some paperwork while I was waiting for you.  I heard you talking after you got out of your car and wondered who you were talking to... but, buddy, there ain’t no ‘guy’ out there.”  I turned around.  He was right.  My “benefactor” was gone.  I assumed the owner wasn’t really paying attention, but didn’t argue with him.

When we went outside to look at my car, the owner pointed to the snow behind my car.  “See!” he said, “The only tire tracks here are your own.”

Then I described the man with the beard to the garage owner thinking he might know this local carpenter.  He said there was no carpenter he knew of in the small town.  He laughed and said, “Sounds like you may have some kind of angel following you.... but I’ve never heard of a cigar-chewing angel!”  He then told me there was “absolutely nothing wrong with the car” and wished me “Merry Christmas” as I got behind the steering wheel to continue my trip.

I finally got to Scottsboro and picked up our little “Christmas family” (Jonathan was born the day after Christmas a year earlier) and headed back to Marietta.   I made sure to tell the details of my experience to Angela and David when we came back down the same stretch of road on the way back home.   Charlene had prepared “Christmas” for and was anxiously awaiting our return.  Charlene was as amazed as I had been when I repeated this story in our living room in front of a warm fire in the fireplace.  The Scarborough family now has our very own “Christmas Angel” legend to pass down to our heirs.

(Now, I’m pretty sure that the “carpenter” was not Jesus... maybe just a “helper,” but I’ll never forget my “Christmas Angel.”  I’m convinced that he was there when my car spun out of control and that he had his hand on me and the old Pontiac.  That the car was so easily moved to the side of the road with no damage at all continues to amaze me.  I never pass that location on the way to Scottsboro without my eyes seeking out the exact location where my car came to a stop.)

Dan Scarborough, CLTCdanscarborough@thefamilyisp.com
http://seniorsandfamilies.short-term-health.net

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” -Heb 13:2

LISTEN and SILENT

Hi...

Someone said...
LISTEN and SILENT are two words with the same alphabets and are very important for any vital relationship.
Only a loved one or friend can LISTEN even when we are SILENT.
Isn't that true?
In the stillness we even hear our Lord's voice

when we enjoy the right relationship with Him.

No wonder the Word of God says

PSALM 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God........"

JESUS LOVES YOU...

Have a Blessed week

Julia

When you find.....

Hi ,,,

Here's something to think about~

When you find~

Feet you can hold on to when you fall,

Shoulders you can cry on when you are lonely,

Ears that listen and hear every word you speak and even your softest sigh,

Arms that will hold you at your weakest moments.

Eyes that will see you at your ugliest.

Heart that will love you at your worst.
And the One who can forgive you of all your sins(if you sincerely repent) and heal your diseases,

Then be sure....

You've found The Lord JESUS CHRIST!

God knows and He cares

Sometimes we have a 100 questions as to why certain things happen....

But only God really knows why..

We need to just wait on Him and He will take care of all that concerns us.

He's perfecting us day by day.

Hi.. God did not promise.... A life free of pain, Skies always blue, Pathway strewn with flowers, A bed of roses, Only sunshine with no rain, Only joy & not sorrows, No heart breaking incident... But He has promised..... Grace for the trials, Light for the way, Strength when we are weak, A lift when we fall, His undying love, His presence with us at all time! To mend a broken heart.. This gives me the courage to keep walking this narrow Path... What about you?? God Bless, Julia

.You are......~~UNKNOWN~~

You are strong...when you take your grief and teach it to smile.
You are brave...when you overcome your fear and help others to do the same.
You are happy...when you see a flower and are thankful for the blessing.
You are loving...when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of others.You are wise...when you know the limits of your wisdom.
You are true...when you admit there are times you fool yourself.
You are alive...when tomorrow's hope means more to you than yesterday's mistake.You are growing...when you know what you are but not what you will become.
You are free...when you are in control of yourself and do not wish to control others.
You are honorable...when you find your honor is to honor others.You are generous...when you can take as sweetly as you can give.
You are humble...when you do not know how humble you are.
You are thoughtful...when you see me just as I am and treat me just as you are.
You are merciful...when you forgive in others the faults you condemn in yourself.
You are beautiful...when you don't need a mirror to tell you.
You are rich...when you never need more than what you have.
You are you...when you are at peace with who you are not.

~~UNKNOWN~~

Our Bodies..TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Hi ...

Good morning.. 

1 Corinthians 3:16 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"

If we have accepted JESUS CHRIST as our Savior & are the children of the most High God, we need to remember we no longer can do what we want to abuse this body for our vain pleasures. This body now is the 'temple of the Holy Spirit'. It's not our own!!

1 Corinthians 6: 19 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Many of us think this body belongs to us and we can do what we want with it. If we belong to Christ we are the Children of a God who is a HOLY GOD & we have no right to abuse or destroy this body by indulging in things that may harm our body.

Just note this verse..

1 Cor 3:17 "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. 

Yes we are to keep it Holy but the flesh is weak & so struggle in the area. Our selfish desires sometimes blind us to the fact that this body is not ours.

But The Holy Spirit will help in our weakness & intercede for us.

Romans 8:26 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT will give us life, He's our promise of eternal life from God.

Romans 8: 11 "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you."

 So...we need to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. THIS SACRIFICE HAS TO ACCEPTABLE TO GOD.

Romans 12: 1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."

God wants us to sacrifice our bodies, laying aside our selfish desires as a living sacrifice to HIM.

Have we done that??

Are we willing to do it???

In the Old Testament animal sacrifices was practiced, but even then God made it clear, obedience was more important than any sacrifice.

1 SAMUEL 15: 22 But Samuel replied:
       "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
       as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
       To obey is better than sacrifice,
       and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

So we are to obey God. When we fail to do what HE wants us to do, we rebel & REBELLION IS SIN.

1 SAMUEL 15: 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
       Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
       he has rejected you as king."

Rebellion is like the sin of divination (witchcraft) & Arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

"REBELLION" & "ARROGANCE" are serious sin, did you know that???

Saul was rejected as King because of these sins & his Kingdom taken away.

SO LET'S BE OBEDIENT OF GOD'S VOICE AND OFFER OUR BODIES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE, ACCEPTABLE TO GOD.

You know God always has GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT Plans for us.

Why don't we give HIM our best??? 

We all have areas where temptations is strong and habits hard to conquer.

Habits like over eating also is abusing our body. We don't live to eat, but eat to live.

Habits like smoking, addiction to alcoholic drinks affect this body. If we say this Body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, how can we abuse it??

We cannot destroy this temple.

We need to remember...

1 Cor 3:17 "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple."

We need to seek God's help in areas we struggle &  work hard to overcome this temptation & prevailing sin.

Let's give our bodies in a good condition to our Lord.

GOD DOES NOT ACCEPT BLEMISHED SACRIFICES.

I am just reminded of this passage in Malachi chapter 1.

Let's read it.

Blemished Sacrifices

MALACHI 1: 6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name.
      "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'

 7 "You place defiled food on my altar.
      "But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?'
      "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible.

8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.

 9 "Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?"-says the LORD Almighty.

 10 "Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands.

11 My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty.

 12 "But you profane it by saying of the Lord's table, 'It is defiled,' and of its food, 'It is contemptible.' 13 And you say, 'What a burden!' and you sniff at it contemptuously," says the LORD Almighty.
      "When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?" says the LORD.

14 "Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations.

So let's not take God for granted.

How many times God shows us clearly some habits of ours are surely abusive and destroys our body.

How many times He's asked us to give it up and offer this body as a living sacrifice acceptable to HIM??

Have we been stubborn and rebellious??

It's time to turn from our wicked ways and sinful desires of the flesh that destroys this body.

We reflect God to our family and friends and those around. What image of God's character and attitudes do they see in us??

If we casually accept sinful pleasures and compromise with the world, HOW CAN WE PLEASE DOD???

WE ARE GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE, A HOLY GENERATION.

OUR GOD IS NOT A GOD OF CONVENIENCE.

It often takes hard work to live by God's standards but not impossible.

WHAT WE HAVE TO GIVE UP  IS VERY LESS COMPARED TO ALL THAT WE WILL INHERIT..INCLUDING ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD.

If we are struggling with any habits that are slowly destroying our bodies,

~~1) We need to seek the HOLY SPIRIT'S help. We need to accept we have a problem with an addiction and be willing to let go.

~~2) Stay away form tempting situations and places.

~~3) Seek the help of fellow believers for prayer and support.

Let's not feel bad to confess our problem & reach out for help.

~~4) Be accountable to someone in the Body of Christ, who are willing to encourage us & pray with us.

 OUR BODY BELONGS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 I like what my pastor said the other day, "This body is not ours, Let's live by HIS rules & not violate it. I can't say 'it's my body, I can do what I want,  it's my child, I can abort it' etc"

The Bible says in...

 PETER 1:16 "for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." 

The Holy Spirit will help us. When He convicts us we are to be willing to let go of all that defiles our bodies.

HE WILL GIVE US STRENGTH TO OVERCOME EVERY SIN AND ADDICTION.

TRUST IN GOD.

So let us give no more excuses.

'Take all of me Lord...

Let me decrease and you increase..

In Jesus/Yeshua's Name

Amen'

Be blessed,

Julia