Saturday, December 26, 2015

Storm Warning

Sirens blared in Texas and Oklahoma on Saturday night as a system of storms barreled through the region. Many people found a place area in their homes (the hallway, the room without windows, a place where we felt secure) as we watched the newscast, listened to the weather report and overheard the tornado siren in our cities. Questioned circled as many of you prayed. "How long will it last?" "Will it hit my home?" "God where are you?"

Many prayed, "Lord, keep my family safe and protect my neighbors and those in the storm's path."

When you sense danger, prayer is the only weapon powerful enough to get God's attention.

Jesus is the answer to storms in our life. Keep in mind, He creates the storm. He listens to us through the storm. He meets us by stepping into the storm. He shepherds us through the storm.

In Romans 8:34 the bible declares that Jesus is "and now he is on God’s right side, appealing to God for us." 

Invite Jesus to meet us in the midst of the storm.

Prayers go out to those killed, wounded and displaced in North Texas.
The Pursuit of Learning Something New

It has been said, "If you catch a fish for a man he will eat for a day, but if you teach him how to fish he will eat for a lifetime."

Galileo said, "You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it himself."

Good writing cannot be taught, it can only be learned. There are two things vital to the teacher-student relationship. The teacher has to know their subject/topic and the student has to be willing to learn. If one of these elements is missing, all efforts are in vain.

Everyone has innate propensities and are not mere blank slates. No one can fill up another individual with whatever knowledge he/she feels that are lacking. The right circumstances, a butterfly will soon emerge and fly off on its "own."

Proverbs 4:5-6 says, "Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you."

Friday, December 25, 2015

Take Time to Rest and Worship

Today's scripture
“Work and get everything done during six days each week, but the seventh day is a day of rest to honor the Lord.” (Exodus 20:9-10) 

 
All of us need one day where work comes to an immediate halt. We need a 24-hour period in which there is no thoughts about the rat race, run of the mill of jobs or careers. Simply put, we need to stop. 

There is a verse that depicts our lives: “Man is mere phantom as the goes to and fro: He bustles about, only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it” (Psalm 39:6 NIV).

Does in any way sound like your life? Do your family and friends refer to you as a phantom? Are you always on the go to the extent that you have no time for the simple things and your family has questioned your existence? Do you put other things and people before your faith? Are you waiting for someone besides yourself to ignite your faith? In fact, your faith is “your faith.”

If God, declared it, you need it. If Jesus modeled it, you definitely need it. Take a day to say no to work and Yes to worship.

A Prayer for Today

"Father, today I praise you for reminding me to worship. I thank you for your guidance. Forgive me for neglecting your will. Help us to release the weights of life. Supply our need for stillness in our lives. In Jesus' name! Amen."