REVERENT CHRIST; THE TRUTH OF PRAYER...

HEBREWS 5: 7-10... 
7/ In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 
8/ Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; 
9/ and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 
10/ declared by God high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

LET MY HEART SPEAK MY PRAYERS...

Prayer is the comfort of the knowledge that we are subjectively, one with THE LORD! We are at ease in this fact, knowing that we have total freedom to open UP to HIM, as, HE already knows us. We understand that HE is eagerly awaiting an honest relationship with us, as we discover, through HIM, the TRUE self, the spirit, as well as, the TRUTHS HE has set before us...

As we earnestly, and humbly, reveal ourselves to HIM, from the mind of truth, HE is invited closer to our hearts, to which, HE responds like a doting FATHER...

Prayer leads to increased PEACE, as our FAITH allows us to TRUST, and BELIEVE in HIS involvement, provision, and deliverance, in our lives! We should not pray, then worry, instead, we should pray, and move on, confidently comforted...

No one but THE LORD, *GOD*, can attend to our needs in every capacity! No one can move the Heavens, the Earth, the mountains, the seas, to attend to us! There is nothing, nor any one, who can give us what we need, as does HE, according to HIS LOVE, and, WILL!!!

MONDAY'S MEDITATIONS: WHERE HE REIGNS, THERE IS AWESOMENESS!!!

By the LOVING GRACE OF *GOD*, the start of new week, and, heading into the middle of November, already!?? I don't know if it is just me, but, time seems to be soaring past us, so fast, I can barely keep up with it!!!

I had a nice weekend, and, I pray you did too:))) I spent the evening watching CHRISTmas movies, which, Hallmark began airing almost 2 weeks ago! I LOVE CHRISTmas! But, I find the magic in THE LORD, and, as I watch these movies, I am always wondering where HE fits in, besides being the reason for the HOLYday! Some movies show a Church, or, a Nativity scene, but, how many voice, or, reveal HIM, in their plots? The beautifully decorated homes, and, scenes, show the Santa magic, void of CHRIST! There is NO CHRISTmas, without CHRIST! The magic is the mystical GIFT of HIS LOVE, and, Children, especially, should be learning this! Ah well, I have been attempting for many years to train the focus of others, to remain on HIM, but, commercialism, upbringing, enticement, excitement, and, tradition, win out...

TALKING MONEY: A WEEKLY BIBLE BASED SERIES, PART 2...

ECCLESIASTES 5: 9... 
The covetous man is never satisfied with money, and the lover of wealth reaps no fruit from it; so this too is vanity. 

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: ECCLESIASTES 5: 9-17...
The goodness of Providence is more equally distributed than appears to a careless observer. The king needs the common things of life, and the poor share them; they relish their morsel better than he does his luxuries. There are bodily desires which silver itself will not satisfy, much less will worldly abundance satisfy spiritual desires. 
The more men have, the better house they must keep, the more servants they must employ, the more guests they must entertain, and the more they will have hanging on them. The sleep of the labourer is sweet, not only because he is tired, but because he has little care to break his sleep. The sleep of the diligent Christian, and his long sleep, are sweet; having spent himself and his time in the service of God, he can cheerfully repose in God as his Rest. But those who have every thing else, often fail to secure a good night's sleep; their abundance breaks their rest. Riches do hurt, and draw away the heart from God and duty. 
Men do hurt with their riches, not only gratifying their own lusts, but oppressing others, and dealing hardly with them. They will see that they have laboured for the wind, when, at death, they find the profit of their labour is all gone like the wind, they know not whither. How ill the covetous worldling bears the calamities of human life! He does not sorrow to repentance, but is angry at the providence of God, angry at all about him; which doubles his affliction.  

PHILIPPIANS 4: 11-13...  
11/ Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. 
12/ I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 
13/ I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.

SUNDAY'S SACRED SCRIPTURES: 1 PETER 1...

1 PETER 1: 3-25... 
3/ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 
4/ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you 
5/ who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. 
6/ In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials,
7/ so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 
8/ Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 
9/ as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls. 

10/ Concerning this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it, 
11/ investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. 
12/ It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you (through) the holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. 

13/ Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 
14/ Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance  
15^/ but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, 
16/ for it is written, "Be holy because I (am) holy." 

17/ Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, 
18/ realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold 
19/ but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.  
20^/ He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, 
21/ who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 
22^/ Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere mutual love, love one another intensely from a (pure) heart. 
23/ You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God,  
24^/ for: "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; 
25/ but the word of the Lord remains forever." This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

VETERAN'S DAY 2012: HONOUR & PRAYERS...

In the USA, it is Veteran's Day; a time of remembrance of those who have sacrificed for their country, and, the continuance of freedom! I am as anti-war as they come, yet, I appreciate these people's courage, their brave choice, and, their service to keep us from harm's way; they are exemplary beings, and, deserve more than they receive!!!

It is kept pretty quiet, but, MANY returning from active duty, come home to find problems unexpected! Many returning, are now homeless, even Women with Children! As of May 2011, there were 10,476 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans either living on the streets, in temporary housing or receiving federal vouchers to help pay rent for an apartment. About 13% are women, the VA says. And, these numbers continue to rise, which, is in part, due to the economy; 2012 statistics: More than one million veterans are at risk of becoming homeless, while tens of thousands of former service members are already living without shelter, according to the Center For American Progress. In fact, one in seven homeless people previously served in the military, a December 2011 report found, and much of the other data surrounding homeless veterans are equally worrisome! On top of the emotional, physical, and, mental issues they bring back with them, many have to deal with issues they should not have to, such as rejection, disdain, and, other behaviours, unwarranted! They come home, only to have to fight a new war of sorts! It is not only wrong, it is just terrible, but, some are noticing, listening, and, working to change this! Just recently, a major utility company added a program to train returning vets, so, there are people attempting to turn things around for them, but, it takes more than a few to make this right...

SATURDAY'S SOUNDNESS: FREEDOM FOR SERVICE...

GALATIANS 5: 13-26... 
13/ For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.
14/ For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  
15/ But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 
16/ I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.  
17/ For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. 
18/ But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  

19/ Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, 
20/ idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, 
21/ occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  

22/ In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 
23/ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 
24/ Now those who belong to Christ (Jesus) have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. 
25/ If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. 
26/ Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another.

INSPIRATION: JUST THE RIGHT MESSAGE!!!

I would like to share this with you; a message from WISDOM FOR THE WAY, compiled, and, authored by Charles R. Swindoll...

JUST THE RIGHT MESSAGE, from JOSEPH; a Man of Integrity, and, Forgiveness...

Listen to me, victims of mistreatment. More importantly, please listen to God's truth. He has a hundred different messages to give you during a hundred different dungeon experiences. He knows just the right message at the right time, and all it takes to receive it is a sensitive, obedient, trusting heart. Not one preoccupied with revenge or bitterness or hostility, but a heart that says, "Lord, God, help me now. Right at this moment. Deliver me from my own prison. Help me to see beyond the darkness, to see Your hand. As I am being crushed, remold me. Help me to see You in this..."

Pray that prayer. Turn your trial into trust as you look to God to tenderly use that affliction, that dungeon, that abandonment, for His purpose...

In the midst of all this, remember, God has not abandoned you. He has not forgotten you. He never left. He understands the heartache...