Enough

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1 Timothy 6:8

So many times believers are not aware of how blessed we are. We agonize over not having the latest clothing, equipment and gadgets. Not having the best home or the latest car. We must remember that all of these things are wants.

The word tells us that a home is not even a requirement. It is a bonus. If we can remember that to have the basic of necessities - food and clothing - is enough, then we can be thankful each day.

This even confirms that the homeless - especially in the US are blessed, because even they usually have these two things daily. That is not to say that we should not feel compelled to help them. That is not what I imply. We should show love to all of those around us.

It is so good to know that we are being taken care of daily by our Father in Heaven, even when we do not deserve it!

I pray peace and blessings on you!

What Will You Do With Your Life Today?

It's a question I often ask. Simple, yet truthful, because each day, each hour, each minute, each moment is important to The Father. It is a strong, direct and personal question, because it forces me to look at myself even if I pose it to someone else.

I know that each day is a blessing, but what do I do with it?

Did I hit the snooze button several times before rising? Did I get up out of my bed, thankful and joyful for the breath of life? When I finally woke did I notice all the gifts that The Father has given me? Such as: a bed, a roof, food, clothing, a bird chirping or a loved one.

The Father is so generous to me. Most times too generous.

When I got into my car, was I aware of how blessed I am? Did I smile or nod at another being in order to share the light of The Lamb? Did I say, "Have a great day!" to the clerk who handed me a cup of steaming hot coffee? Did I even notice the clerk?

When I arrived at my job, was I thankful? Did I pray for peace to abide in my workplace before I even entered the door? Did I pray for my supervisor, colleagues and even any person who makes my work day difficult? If not, I should do that right now.

And this is just the start of my life today. What will I do with my life today? What will you do with your life today? Hopefully whatever you and I do will be for the uplifting of The Kingdom!

Peace and blessings to you!

John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Private Praise!

Ephesians 5:18-20

.... but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Many times we think that in order to praise our Father, we must jump and shout and be directed by some pastor, elder or other Church leader. We are told when to stand, what to say, when to sit and when to shout! But, there is a place where we can all go that is filled with songs, singing and thanks! That place is within our hearts.

You see, it is the heart that the Father sees. It is the heart that determines what kind of person we are. Yet, our hearts are not seen by men. True, they may see a reflection of our hearts through our works, but no one truely knows our hearts but the Father.

When we decide to give God praise, He looks at our hearts. Some of the best praises I've ever had have been silent. I simply reflect on the magnificence of our God and I get stirred up on the inside. Before I know it, I'm singing, I'm praying, I'm rejoicing, I'm thanking - and it's all in my heart! It's just me and my Father in communion! There is no need for external helps. He has given us all we need to praise him in an optimum way!

So, I will give Him praise today! It is my own private praise! And I will do it in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I thank YAH for the opportunity! Peace and blessings be upon you!

Sincere Prayer

Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. Psalm 54:2

Someone told me that it had been so long since they prayed and they had done so much wrong, they wondered if God would hear them. I told them that God hears all who pray to him in sincerity. He hears those who pray in spirit and in truth.

With this in mind, I judged myself. I thought about my many hurried prayers over the years before I jumped into bed because I was cold or tired or just following my nightly ritual. The obligatory prayers before a meal - done more out of habit than faith. I even thought about the rehearsed prayers before an audience or prayers to "move" a congregation.

We must know that these are not prayers. Prayer must be sincere. Prayer must be from the spirit. Prayer must be in truth. We have to go within and without ourselves, so that God is our true focus. All those prayers that I thought I did didn't count because they were false. God can never accept that. When we or others pray to gain the attention or acceptance of man, those prayers are not accepted.

We must pray to The Father in the way that The Son taught us. It must come from the heart. We must sincerely seek The Father! Some of the sincerest prayers have only contained two familiar words that are often called in distress: "God, help!"

Tonight, when I pray, I will pray in sincerity. I know it matters not how long I pray. It matters not, what position I pray in. What matters is that I seek to spend time in prayer with my Father and your Father in heaven!

May the Peace of God rest upon you!

Your Children Are Not Your Own

One of my nieces has just been blessed with a healthy baby girl. Everyone who has seen her is in awe of how cute and cuddly she is. We look at our niece and think, "What love this baby will receive from not only her mother but from her whole extended family!"

It's a joyous and sobering moment. It's a moment that causes me to reminence about my own "baby". My soon to be 20 year old son! I also realize just how much he is NOT mine.

I thank the Father that he entrusted me and my husband with a beautiful baby boy years ago, who is now grown man. Praise God! He has become a sensitive, caring, talented and strong man. If I had known what I know now, I know that I would have done so many things differently, but I also would have done many things the same!

I am blessed even more today than I was when he was born, because I realize it was a priviledge to have been his caretaker for so many years. Today I have also become his advisor, friend and confidant.

The knowledge that he is not mine - but the Father's is uplifting and humbling. By knowing this, I realize that it is not my duty try to "make my son into anything" but to pray, love, support and guide him in the way the Father leads him.

It is my hope that I will be here for him for many, many years, but even if I'm not, I know that he will be okay because he has someone much wiser, powerful, understanding and caring than even I, as loving as I am (and this is not an exaggeration) could ever be.

Whenever the Spirit leads me to, I think I will share this post with my niece. I will let her know that no matter how much love, care and positive thoughts she can share with her new bundle of joy, none can compare to what the heavenly Father has for her! Even though she came out of her vessel, she actually belongs to another. I want her to take comfort in knowing that He has entrusted her with one of His "precious ones" for a little while.

Peace and blessings to you! Walk in love!

Becoming one of the Radiant Ones

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Often we lose sight of what our purpose is. It is not for our own will and purposes that we as believers live, but it is to do the will of our Father in heaven. From the time Jesus was twelve he was always about his Father's business. When will we be about our Father's business? I mean really about his business and his purpose?

So often we place our personal petitions before the Father without once considering what the Father would have us to do. We focus on our wants - instead of the Father's will. This type of approach squelches the light that is in us. If you read this entire chapter in Matthew, you will find that in order to be a light for the kingdom, we have to follow the commandments and teach the commandments to others. This is the will of the Father. Not our human will. Only his.

Can we ever say, and really mean it, that we truly desire that our lives follow the will of the Father? Can we do it after we say it? These are the people who the Father's light will shine in. It is simple obedience. Simply loving the Father and loving one another. Then this love is shown by our actions. If we love him, we will do his commandments. If we love one another, we will do nothing to mislead or harm them. We will do nothing to them that we would not want done to ourselves.

Jesus told us and showed us what we must do so that others may see our light. The question today is: Will we do it? Will you do it? Will I do it?

May the peace of God be upon you!

The Little Ones

Matthew 18:6
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Today I came into contact with an offended little one. No, he was not 3, 4, 5 or even 6. He was probably about 19 years old and he is a little one. The young man I am speaking of is mentally challenged and he was sharing some of his concerns with my husband and me. He spoke of how his boss tells him that, "He makes him sick." He said he tries so hard to do his job well and was cleaning even as he spoke to us. He said he wanted to quit. He also told us of young girls who tease and make fun of him. He told my husband that he was scared to have a girlfriend because they only want his money.

He was a little one. He was sad. He was broken. He was at the end of his rope.

Then, my husband, like he often does, began to speak with him as he does any other human. He listened to him. He got him to tell him about things he likes. The young man spoke of a truck he has that he takes great pride in. ( Now this "truck" we believe may only exist in his mind.) But it gave him joy to speak of it, and my husband listened and asked questions and waited for him to answer.

Soon the young man seemed a little happier. I asked him if he liked his job. He admitted that he did. My husband told him he really didn't have to quit, after all, he needed to pay for that "truck". The young man smiled and so did we. All of us had been blessed.

I only felt sad for those who dared to even hurt this "little one", because they are so precious to The Father and His Son.

Be blessed!