For every creature of God

For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
1Timothy 4:4-5
All things created by God are good beyond questioning and He gives to us out of His bountiful mercy! Let us receive His gifts gladly with thanksgiving and consecrate them through prayer.

but if

 VERSE: But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. -- Matthew 6:15 THOUGHT: Can you think of a more frightening thought than God not forgiving our sins? We know how much he paid so our sins could be forgiven! We know how much he loves us! We know how much he wants us to be in relationship with him! So why would he withhold his forgiveness? Because we demonstrate that we have not received it or do not understand it! God is gracious and he will not accept those who are not gracious! PRAYER: Holy God, there are those that I do find it difficult to forgive. Please, right now while I'm praying, soften my heart by your Spirit, cleanse my soul of any bitterness or resentment, and please empower me to let go of the pain of the past and forgive. I thank you for this grace to not only be forgiven, but to also forgive. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Let us pray... !!!*

  Let us pray...  !!!* Almighty Father creator of Heaven and earth and everything in between, We humbly come before you with thanks giving in our hearts, asking for your never ending mercy. We lift your name on high, above any name that has ever existed, our father and creator, we ask you to bless, protect and to pour your supernatural favour upon us, our children, spouses and friends. God we ask you today for divine intervention in our lives, we ask for your touch in all areas of our lives, be it a new job, promotion, freedom from debt, rebuilding of our relationships with our spouses and friends. Father any situation you touch, we believe it can never remain the same. Father in heaven, let your will be done in our lives as your decision in our lives is the best and will always be the best,In the name of your only son, our personal Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!!!

More Reflections on Obedience

More Reflections on Obedience by God's Grace
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?…Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. (Galatians 3:3 and 2 Corinthians 3:5)
Once again, let's reflect on previously studied passages that show how obedience to God is related to His grace. Galatians 3:3 fits in this helpful category.

Our beginning with God was brought about by the work of His Spirit. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). We humbly admitted our sins, casting ourselves upon the mercy of God. The Holy Spirit brought us new birth, new life. This work of the Spirit is linked to the grace of God later in this same sentence: "that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:7). Thus, starting out with God is related to His Spirit applying His grace to our need.

Now, having experienced spiritual birth by the Spirit (by grace), would we be so foolish as to think that we could be spiritually developed by the flesh (by mere human activity)? "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?" The only way that spiritual growth can follow spiritual birth is by the work of the Holy Spirit (that is, by the grace of God continuing to impact our lives). These same terms are the only explanation for the development of obedience in the life of a child of God. It must come from the Spirit applying grace to our hearts. "It is good that the heart be established by grace" (Hebrews 13:9).

2 Corinthians 3:5 is another passage that carries this same message about obedience. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God." We are hereby reminded that Christians are not the source of any godliness that is to develop in their lives. This would include obedience. We do not have within our own resources what it takes to produce an obedient life. Yet, we do have available to us daily all that we need to grow in pleasing God and doing His will. God is to be our source always for all things spiritual. How do we draw upon His comprehensive sufficiency? Humbly depend upon Him. God pours grace into the humble heart (James 4:6), and faith accesses grace (Romans 5:2).

Heavenly Father, would You develop obedience in me the same way You brought new life to me—by Your Spirit, by Your grace. I again confess my need for Your sufficient resources for growing in obedience, and I rely on You, Amen.

Blessed [are] they

Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)
May all believers take great heart in this amazing promise of joy and glory! Just as our Lord was persecuted, so we will be persecuted. It is a guarantee! However, we suffer with the knowledge of the beautiful hope of inheriting the kingdom of heaven and residing with our heavenly Father in all His glory. To consider His greatness only causes us to sing of His righteousness!

And now, little children,

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)
How sweet and refreshing is the promise of eternal life! It is the beautiful promise of worshipping our Creator and simply being with our Saviour for all eternity. Abiding closely with Him in this life allows us to have full confidence in our salvation when God calls His children home. May our faith in Christ be steadfast and strong that we may know Him well on the day of His return!