Our Future is Secured

We don't serve God out of guilt or fear or even duty, but out of joy, and deep gratitude for what he's done for us. We owe him our lives. Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured.

Four "Hearing Aids" for Listening to God's Word

From "Purpose Driven Connection""

James says there are four "hearing aids" that help us receive the Word of God --

1. Be careful. "Be quick to listen, slow to speak ..."(James 1:19 NIV)I must have a careful attitude. Many of our problems are caused because we're quick to speak rather than being quick to listen. Be ready. Be intent to receive God's Word.

2. Be calm. "And slow to become angry ..." (James 1:19 NIV) Be calm if you're going to receive God's Word and be blessed by it. A relaxed attitude increases receptivity. If you're relaxed, people can communicate with you more. We don't hear much when we're angry, upset, bitter, or resentful. Bitterness is a barrier, an emotional block that keeps us from hearing God's Word. Some may ask, "How come God never speaks to me?" Maybe you've got some resentment in your life you need to get rid of.

3. Be clean. "Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent ..." (James 1:21 NIV) When you have a sin in your life, it blocks your hearing and prevents God's Word from getting into your heart. He says get rid of the evil, anything that we know that isn't right in our lives.
How can we be clean? By confession. "If we confess our sins, He's faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." (1 John 1:9 NLT)

4. Be compliant. "Humbly accept the word of God planted in you ..." (James 1:21 NIV) Be teachable, yielded, humble, willing to be changed. Don't act like you know it all. If you know it all, God's Word can't get through to you.

Experience God in Nature

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Look For the Doors!

When you come to a wall, you can either climb it, or you can simply walk around until you find a door. Don't make life so hard, - look for the doors!

Conquer Your Fears

"The worst sorrows in life are not in its losses and misfortunes, but its fears."
-Arthur Christopher Benson

True Happiness

True happiness and joy comes from within. As we develop our trust and faith in God, our soul transforms us. Ssome slowly, some in an "AHA" moment. But it's a simple formula. God is love; love is happiness

Yet we continue to use crutches to feed our unhappiness; even solid Christians do this. Excuses of debt, excuses of health, excuses of relationships, and excuses of bad habits as to why they can't use this simple formula. But the formula is God.

Pray for courage. Pray for power. Allow God's love and happiness to unfold.within you. He will give you unlimited happiness.

Prayer of Thanks

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day, I thank You for being able to see and to hear this morning.

I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.

You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thoughtthat was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.

Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.

Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak...Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.

I pray for those who don't know You intimately.

I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank You that I believe that God changes people and God changes things.

I pray for each and every family member in their households.

I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes; that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray others will know there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received into the hearts of others in Jesus'
name.