Wanna and I will be visiting with family for a couple of days to share Thanksgiving with them. I'm sure that many of you will be doing the same. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite family times. There is good food and fellowship without the pressure of gifts. We all just enjoy one another and that's what's most important.
One of the reasons it is so important to celebrate times like this is that family dynamics change. Both my Dad and Wanna's have not been at family gatherings for several years now because God called them home to celebrate all special occasions with Him. Even as we prepare to go for the next day or two, we are aware that we might have to attend a funeral because one of Wanna's Aunts on her mother's side is not doing well at all.
We never know what is going to happen in life. We should just live every day to its fullest in ways that honor and glorify God and then, if that day should be the last for us or someone near us, we will know that we did all that we could to point to our God of Life. Our Heavenly Father intends for us to enjoy life in Him and to share that enjoyment with all who are around us.
This Thanksgiving, be happy. Be grateful. Focus on what is and not on what isn't. Focus on what you have and not what you don't have that you wish for. Celebrate with all your might for, as the Bible instructs us, everything we do is to be done as unto the Lord and He always wants our best. Give Him your best Thanksgiving celebration this year.
As you give thanks and enjoy family and fellowship, remember to pray for revival, a nation changing revival. Also remember to pray for those who have no family or food or fellowship to enjoy Thanksgiving with. Better yet, find someone like that and invite them to celebrate with you. You might discover a new brother or sister that way.
Rejoice and celebrate in Him for His Goodness and Mercy to us all.
Walter
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
I have another new knee! Yes, I've been in the hospital for a few days, gotten a new knee and begun therapy to work the swelling and soreness out of this wonderfully blessed joint. And I've again been amazed at how good and powerful God is on our behalf when we give these things to Him.
It was easy to go in for this surgery. Heavenly Father had blessed so wonderfully on the right leg, that I was filled with confident faith that He would bless just this way with the left leg. And He did. I knew there would be a certain amount of healing and pain associated the procedure but I also knew that My Father would be there all the way and He has been.
His faithfulness to bless and comfort and care for me during this difficult time makes me wonder why I withhold other things from His nurture and care. You see, I realize that there are failings in my life and the only proper word to apply to them is sin. Why can't I give them to God and trust Him to be there to comfort and keep me as these things are excised from my body just like it was with my knee?
I'll tell you why. My knees gave me pain. I was very uncomfortable with them. They bothered me as I sat, walked, talked. You name it, they hurt me. But, like far too many people, my sins don't. I have grown comfortable with them.
I have reached a place where I feel that I am as good as most and better than many, so why should I try to do/be any better?
It is time for me to realize all over again that any sin is too much sin in the presence of Holy, Righteous God, that any sin is too much sin in the life of one who has been washed in the precious blood of Jesus. My life is my offering to God on a daily basis and when I am comfortable with any sin, I am presenting Him with a soiled, blemished gift.
How can I do such a thing when He presented my with the Spotless Lamb of God to be my Savior? How can I do such a thing when He loves me and blesses me and keeps me day after day in His Tender, Loving Care? How can I do such a thing when He has given me His Word to teach me and guide me and has given me Holy Spirit to empower and enable me to live in such a way that I bring Him honor and glory with my life?
I can't! Or at least, I shouldn't!
Let's resolve today to live this day striving to avoid all sin with all our might. We might find ourselves pleasing Him more and more. How wonderful that would be!
Please pray. Pray for revival in our nation. Revival that will sweep the aisles and pews of churches, sweep the halls of Congress, sweep the living rooms of homes all across our land, bringing this nation to her knees, not before a enemy, but before a Holy Heavenly Father Who wants to bless and heal our land. Please Pray.
In His Love
Walter
It was easy to go in for this surgery. Heavenly Father had blessed so wonderfully on the right leg, that I was filled with confident faith that He would bless just this way with the left leg. And He did. I knew there would be a certain amount of healing and pain associated the procedure but I also knew that My Father would be there all the way and He has been.
His faithfulness to bless and comfort and care for me during this difficult time makes me wonder why I withhold other things from His nurture and care. You see, I realize that there are failings in my life and the only proper word to apply to them is sin. Why can't I give them to God and trust Him to be there to comfort and keep me as these things are excised from my body just like it was with my knee?
I'll tell you why. My knees gave me pain. I was very uncomfortable with them. They bothered me as I sat, walked, talked. You name it, they hurt me. But, like far too many people, my sins don't. I have grown comfortable with them.
I have reached a place where I feel that I am as good as most and better than many, so why should I try to do/be any better?
It is time for me to realize all over again that any sin is too much sin in the presence of Holy, Righteous God, that any sin is too much sin in the life of one who has been washed in the precious blood of Jesus. My life is my offering to God on a daily basis and when I am comfortable with any sin, I am presenting Him with a soiled, blemished gift.
How can I do such a thing when He presented my with the Spotless Lamb of God to be my Savior? How can I do such a thing when He loves me and blesses me and keeps me day after day in His Tender, Loving Care? How can I do such a thing when He has given me His Word to teach me and guide me and has given me Holy Spirit to empower and enable me to live in such a way that I bring Him honor and glory with my life?
I can't! Or at least, I shouldn't!
Let's resolve today to live this day striving to avoid all sin with all our might. We might find ourselves pleasing Him more and more. How wonderful that would be!
Please pray. Pray for revival in our nation. Revival that will sweep the aisles and pews of churches, sweep the halls of Congress, sweep the living rooms of homes all across our land, bringing this nation to her knees, not before a enemy, but before a Holy Heavenly Father Who wants to bless and heal our land. Please Pray.
In His Love
Walter
Friday, November 7, 2008
Perspective
It's amazing how much difference perspective makes when considering the circumstances of life. I confess to you now that I've been wallowing in a bad morning up to just a few moments ago.
Everything has been wrong. It's nearly 11:00 and I've just now gotten the idea for this blog. Usually I have it mentally written by the time I get here each day.
Everything I've set out to do has been accomplished but it seemed to happen while it felt like I was working in quicksand. You know the feeling. Everything goes slow and you feel out of place.
And I've complained about it, too. Poor baby me. Just don't get any breaks, now do I? Poor Baby.
And suddenly, just a few moments ago God convicted me. Spoke quietly to my heart and said, "Walter, get over it. Think on Christ and rejoice." And I did. And I resolve to for the rest of this day, at least. Hopefully many more before I have to be reminded again.
Here was the problem. Most of you know by now that I'm going to have my left knee replaced soon. Today it hurts badly and I was letting that cloud the rest of my activities.
Until Abba reminded me to think on Christ. You see, the image He sent with the message was Christ on the cross. Broken, bleeding, suffering and dying for me, that I might be saved.
You know what? The perspective on my little knee pain changed and I was ashamed. And I'm doing something about it; praising God for the good things going on in my life right now.
When I consider His suffering, mine is nothing.
What's wrong in your world this morning? Think on Christ and rejoice. Perhaps you too will get the perspective adjustment that will help you see that things aren't so bad, after all. I pray so.
Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, everybody. We need an outpouring of Holy Spirit more than anything we've ever needed before.
In His Love
Walter
Everything has been wrong. It's nearly 11:00 and I've just now gotten the idea for this blog. Usually I have it mentally written by the time I get here each day.
Everything I've set out to do has been accomplished but it seemed to happen while it felt like I was working in quicksand. You know the feeling. Everything goes slow and you feel out of place.
And I've complained about it, too. Poor baby me. Just don't get any breaks, now do I? Poor Baby.
And suddenly, just a few moments ago God convicted me. Spoke quietly to my heart and said, "Walter, get over it. Think on Christ and rejoice." And I did. And I resolve to for the rest of this day, at least. Hopefully many more before I have to be reminded again.
Here was the problem. Most of you know by now that I'm going to have my left knee replaced soon. Today it hurts badly and I was letting that cloud the rest of my activities.
Until Abba reminded me to think on Christ. You see, the image He sent with the message was Christ on the cross. Broken, bleeding, suffering and dying for me, that I might be saved.
You know what? The perspective on my little knee pain changed and I was ashamed. And I'm doing something about it; praising God for the good things going on in my life right now.
When I consider His suffering, mine is nothing.
What's wrong in your world this morning? Think on Christ and rejoice. Perhaps you too will get the perspective adjustment that will help you see that things aren't so bad, after all. I pray so.
Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, everybody. We need an outpouring of Holy Spirit more than anything we've ever needed before.
In His Love
Walter
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Don't Be Deceived
I recently went on the internet and as I was preparing to peruse my e-mail, an interesting offer to take a "quick and free" IQ test came up on the screen. It was intriguing. It has been some time since I took such a test and I wanted to know how much I'm slipping with the passage of time.
I answered the questions as best I could and felt pretty good about most of them and kinda stupid about others, but overall I went to the "results button" to click my way to info about my remaining smarts.
What came up was page after page of offers for me to receive information (read that spam) from company after company who just wanted permission to flood me with internet offers. I ain't got the time and I did not want anything they were trying to get me to subscribe to and I finally quit the exercise.
I never did get the IQ results.
My point? So much in life is not what it appears to be on the surface. There are hundreds of ways men have devised to deceive us, to lead us onto paths we don't really want to be on. And most of those paths are longer than we imagine even if our curiosity is aroused only enough to get us to take a few steps to just see what's there.
Most often, it'll be page after page of trouble and junk. Things we don't need to fill our hearts and minds with.
So, here's some Heavenly direction for your thinking today. It's guaranteed to make you happier, more fulfilled, more like Jesus and to help you steer clear of the deceitful mess out there like that "offer" for my IQ test. From Philippians 4, verse 8. we read, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Pretty good advice, huh? And the Teacher who spoke these words is pretty special, too. He saved Paul and used him to communicate it to us. Let's just do it!
Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, one another, absolutely everybody. Then this world, this nation will truly see "change."
In His Love
Walter
I answered the questions as best I could and felt pretty good about most of them and kinda stupid about others, but overall I went to the "results button" to click my way to info about my remaining smarts.
What came up was page after page of offers for me to receive information (read that spam) from company after company who just wanted permission to flood me with internet offers. I ain't got the time and I did not want anything they were trying to get me to subscribe to and I finally quit the exercise.
I never did get the IQ results.
My point? So much in life is not what it appears to be on the surface. There are hundreds of ways men have devised to deceive us, to lead us onto paths we don't really want to be on. And most of those paths are longer than we imagine even if our curiosity is aroused only enough to get us to take a few steps to just see what's there.
Most often, it'll be page after page of trouble and junk. Things we don't need to fill our hearts and minds with.
So, here's some Heavenly direction for your thinking today. It's guaranteed to make you happier, more fulfilled, more like Jesus and to help you steer clear of the deceitful mess out there like that "offer" for my IQ test. From Philippians 4, verse 8. we read, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Pretty good advice, huh? And the Teacher who spoke these words is pretty special, too. He saved Paul and used him to communicate it to us. Let's just do it!
Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, one another, absolutely everybody. Then this world, this nation will truly see "change."
In His Love
Walter
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Same Thing Either Way
Today's message is easy. It really is. And the reason it is easy is because we now know who has been chosen to be the next President of the United Stated of America: Barack Hussein Obama. And I promise you, my thoughts this morning would be the same thing had John McCain been the choice. Here's why.
As we were reminded from God's Word yesterday, no power (or person) rules except that it has been ordained by Our Heavenly Father. Romans 13:1. Today we read how that can be when it seems that Mr. Obama might not represent the values many of us share. We find it in Proverbs 21:1; "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will."
Today, our responsibility before God is exactly the same as if Mr. McCain had won the election: to pray for our new President and his administration; to pray for our Congress which seems to be dramatically changing; to pray for our Supreme Court, which will definitely be changing dramatically; and to pray for revival among American Christians.
Perhaps the fact that God has chosen to allow Mr. Obama to be President is His way of continuing to call His church, His people in the United States back to Him. Perhaps this is what it takes to get we Christians back on our knees in true repentance before Him. Pray for revival.
The hard truth is that American Christians have been spoiled and have lived in such comfort and ease that we have neglected the most important relationship we have; our relationship with God. We have taken Him for granted. We have been guilty of presumptuous sins, which we will be defining and discussing one Sunday night very soon.
I, and others who have been privileged to be spokespersons for the Almighty, have said for sometime now that what American Christians need to truly come back to God is a good dose of persecution. That may be coming.
I am excited. I believe with all my heart that God is on His Throne. He is at work all around us. His will, purposes and ways are not going to be thwarted. He will prevail, and mightily so. I believe that we are on the verge of perhaps the greatest revival that has ever come to America.
Pray for it. Believe for it. Don't settle for anything less. Put on your happy face and watch, wait and look up. Not for bombs or invaders but for a great outpouring of the power of God. Jesus is coming. You can count on it.
In His Love
Walter
As we were reminded from God's Word yesterday, no power (or person) rules except that it has been ordained by Our Heavenly Father. Romans 13:1. Today we read how that can be when it seems that Mr. Obama might not represent the values many of us share. We find it in Proverbs 21:1; "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will."
Today, our responsibility before God is exactly the same as if Mr. McCain had won the election: to pray for our new President and his administration; to pray for our Congress which seems to be dramatically changing; to pray for our Supreme Court, which will definitely be changing dramatically; and to pray for revival among American Christians.
Perhaps the fact that God has chosen to allow Mr. Obama to be President is His way of continuing to call His church, His people in the United States back to Him. Perhaps this is what it takes to get we Christians back on our knees in true repentance before Him. Pray for revival.
The hard truth is that American Christians have been spoiled and have lived in such comfort and ease that we have neglected the most important relationship we have; our relationship with God. We have taken Him for granted. We have been guilty of presumptuous sins, which we will be defining and discussing one Sunday night very soon.
I, and others who have been privileged to be spokespersons for the Almighty, have said for sometime now that what American Christians need to truly come back to God is a good dose of persecution. That may be coming.
I am excited. I believe with all my heart that God is on His Throne. He is at work all around us. His will, purposes and ways are not going to be thwarted. He will prevail, and mightily so. I believe that we are on the verge of perhaps the greatest revival that has ever come to America.
Pray for it. Believe for it. Don't settle for anything less. Put on your happy face and watch, wait and look up. Not for bombs or invaders but for a great outpouring of the power of God. Jesus is coming. You can count on it.
In His Love
Walter
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
NEWSFLASH
Yes, this is a newsflash!! It's election day!! But you already knew that, didn't you? I'm happy that it will all soon be over. No more TV ads with one group doing all they can to destroy the leader of another group. Our political process has become an unGodly mess.
Back to election day!! I know who I want to win the various races and I admit the one for President is the most important one. It sets the tone for the rest of them. I'm sure you know who you want to win, as well. One thing is for sure; both the candidates cannot win. Either Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama is going to win.
I want to reassure you from God's word this morning that whoever wins will be of God in one way or another. One of them could win to teach Americans a lesson about getting what we think we want. For a Biblical example, read the story of how Saul came to be the first King of Israel.
One of them could win and help start a revival in this land by causing Christians to cry out to God on behalf of this nation as they have never cried out before.
And it doesn't matter which one you place in which situation because we don't know how God is going to use the man who will serve as President. By faith we must receive the words of God through Paul in Romans 13:1; "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."
Those are powerful words that reassure us when we believe in God with all our hearts and turn these weighty matters over to Him. "Ordained of God." He and He alone is in control and you can rest easy that He will use whoever is elected in His way to bring about His will in His time.
So, if you haven't voted, go do it. God may use your vote to be the deciding one.
And after you have voted, pray. I believe that we need a national revival no matter which man is our President. Pray for the sin of our country. Pray for revival. And then watch God at work.
Let your faith be totally in Him, not in politics or politicians nor in any form or person of government, but completely in Him. And hold your head high proud to be an American because this is what He brought about in your life.
Then hold your head low in humble prayer to He Who holds all things, even the office of the President of the United States of America, in His hands to turn and manipulate however He chooses.
In His Love
Walter
Back to election day!! I know who I want to win the various races and I admit the one for President is the most important one. It sets the tone for the rest of them. I'm sure you know who you want to win, as well. One thing is for sure; both the candidates cannot win. Either Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama is going to win.
I want to reassure you from God's word this morning that whoever wins will be of God in one way or another. One of them could win to teach Americans a lesson about getting what we think we want. For a Biblical example, read the story of how Saul came to be the first King of Israel.
One of them could win and help start a revival in this land by causing Christians to cry out to God on behalf of this nation as they have never cried out before.
And it doesn't matter which one you place in which situation because we don't know how God is going to use the man who will serve as President. By faith we must receive the words of God through Paul in Romans 13:1; "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."
Those are powerful words that reassure us when we believe in God with all our hearts and turn these weighty matters over to Him. "Ordained of God." He and He alone is in control and you can rest easy that He will use whoever is elected in His way to bring about His will in His time.
So, if you haven't voted, go do it. God may use your vote to be the deciding one.
And after you have voted, pray. I believe that we need a national revival no matter which man is our President. Pray for the sin of our country. Pray for revival. And then watch God at work.
Let your faith be totally in Him, not in politics or politicians nor in any form or person of government, but completely in Him. And hold your head high proud to be an American because this is what He brought about in your life.
Then hold your head low in humble prayer to He Who holds all things, even the office of the President of the United States of America, in His hands to turn and manipulate however He chooses.
In His Love
Walter
Monday, November 3, 2008
Psalm 37:4
Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." What a wonderful promise from Our Heavenly Father and one that is so gloriously carried out in the lives of so many believers every day.
Wanna and I were the recipients of God's promise of the desires of our hearts on our vacation last week. We desired rest, peace and the comfort of God's blessed presence as we planned our trip to the beach.
And we were truly rewarded. The waters of the gulf of Mexico were beautiful. The sugar white sands of Panama City Beach, Florida were inviting and yielded lots of neat sea shells for us to have.
The sun shone brightly. The waves lapped the shoreline with the same regularity that we have come to realize is one of Abba's ways of telling us that He is in control and His power rules over everything.
There is a Heavenly peace associated with being at the beach. At least for us. We see Father in the sunrise and the sunset. We hear Him speak in the sound of the waves. We feel His touch as the sea breeze brushes our faces. We see His power when the storms come in from the sea. For us, it seems easy to know that He is everywhere, in everything.
And the truth is, He is.
I pray that He is blessing you this day with the desires of your hearts. I pray that you are seeing, feeling, and experiencing Him in all that you do, in everywhere that you go today. If you are, celebrate His presence, roll around in His arms and know that you are among the most blessed people on earth.
If you are not, focus on Him. Delight yourself in Him. Let Him become your heart's greatest desire and He will fill you up with Himself and His power and presence. You will come to see Him in the sunshine and the rain, in the laughter and in the tears, in everything.
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart." Words to live by today, don't you think?
In His Love
Walter
Wanna and I were the recipients of God's promise of the desires of our hearts on our vacation last week. We desired rest, peace and the comfort of God's blessed presence as we planned our trip to the beach.
And we were truly rewarded. The waters of the gulf of Mexico were beautiful. The sugar white sands of Panama City Beach, Florida were inviting and yielded lots of neat sea shells for us to have.
The sun shone brightly. The waves lapped the shoreline with the same regularity that we have come to realize is one of Abba's ways of telling us that He is in control and His power rules over everything.
There is a Heavenly peace associated with being at the beach. At least for us. We see Father in the sunrise and the sunset. We hear Him speak in the sound of the waves. We feel His touch as the sea breeze brushes our faces. We see His power when the storms come in from the sea. For us, it seems easy to know that He is everywhere, in everything.
And the truth is, He is.
I pray that He is blessing you this day with the desires of your hearts. I pray that you are seeing, feeling, and experiencing Him in all that you do, in everywhere that you go today. If you are, celebrate His presence, roll around in His arms and know that you are among the most blessed people on earth.
If you are not, focus on Him. Delight yourself in Him. Let Him become your heart's greatest desire and He will fill you up with Himself and His power and presence. You will come to see Him in the sunshine and the rain, in the laughter and in the tears, in everything.
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart." Words to live by today, don't you think?
In His Love
Walter
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