Monday Meditation~LOVE-ly Reminders for a Lovely Day

1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13 (NIV)

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails....

 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

Resurrection Day Worship~Arise My Love

You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.

Mark 16:6 (NIV)

Praying for you a blessed Resurrection Day!

Weekend Worship~The Power of the Cross

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

What a love. What a cost.

Are You Tempted?

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

I'm relating to Eve just a bit this morning.                                    

You know...forbidden fruit and all that.

Only mine is not actually fruit. (As my photo shows.)

And I wasn't told not to eat it by God.

The "restraining" orders came via my doctor's office in preparation for the delightful drawing of blood to take place in a couple of hours. (Yes, I'm hungry and a little sarcastic at this point.)

I am "standing up under it" with my "way out" being multiple cups of black coffee. Decaf.

Sadly that wasn't the only temptation faced this morning. And I failed with the "standing up" in that case.

Now, I'm not caught up in legalism, but I like to hold to a rule that I seek the Lord and His Word before making a trek to my computer and getting sucked into the social vacuum there. But today I did. Yes, I yielded to the temptation. Oh, I realize that's not grounds for being banished from the "garden" of the day. I'm just disappointed with myself.

I want to put Him first.To fill my heart and soul with Him so that He is my joy and my song for the day. To be reminded of His faithfulness and power to sustain me no matter what I face.

I'm so thankful for His loving-kindness and that His mercies endureth forever! Oh how I desire to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power" and to "Put on the full armor of God so that [I] can take [my] stand against the devil's schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)

Stand strong, my friends! You're going to look...and live...so amazing in His armor!

Wednesday Worship~Power in His Presence

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

No matter what you face, there is power available to you through the Lord...who never leaves your side. I pray that this song, Never Once, by Matt Redman, will be a tremendous source of encouragement to you today...whether you're standing on a mountaintop or kneeling on a battleground.

Ah, His power in us! Joining you in the march toward victory!

Monday Meditation~Prayer & Praise for Power

1 Chronicles 29:1-13 (NIV)

David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

Praise be to You, O LORD,

God of our father Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting.

Yours, O LORD is the greatness and

the power

and the glory and the majesty and

the splendor,

for everything in heaven and earth

is Yours,

Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom,

You are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from You;

You are the ruler of all things.

In Your hands are strength and power

to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give You thanks,

and praise Your glorious name.

Psalm 20:6-8 (NIV)

Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;

He answers him from His holy heaven

with the saving power of His right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the Name of the LORD our God.

Are you in need of power today? God holds it in His hands. That power is available to all who call upon Him. He hears our prayers and answers them from on high. He longs to meet our need. He is the giver of ultimate victory!  Trust in Him today. Let us praise Him for the power He provides.

Wednesday Worship~Need You Now

"The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

He is always there, no matter what your need. Trust in Him.

Praying for Him to meet you at the point of your need today,