(October 31, 2002 5:53 AM CST)
"Luke, our dear physician, sends you greetings."
Luke was a doctor.
Colossians 4:14
He ministered to the sick.
He was someone who cared.
He wrote one of the gospels.
He was concerned about their souls, also.
He wanted the healing truth of Jesus to be known.
Let the words of Jesus touch you and make you well.
(October 30, 2002 6:00 AM CST)
"The weapons of our warfare are not merely human.
The power of God is there.
They possess God's power for the destruction of strongholds."
2 Corinthians 10:4
Do you use it?
Do you call on God to change your life?
Jesus, come into my life.
Drive out all that is evil.
Fill me with your love.
Change me, Lord.
You have the power.
I acknowledge your greatness.
You are wonderful.
Come and renew my life.
(October 29, 2002 5:57 AM CST)
"Look!" Steven exclaimed,
Steven saw heaven.
"I see an opening in the sky,
and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand."
Acts 7:56
The window was opened for a few moments.
Then he went home to the Lord.
He was stoned to death for his beliefs.
May we all see heaven's door one day.
May we be with the Lord forever.
Are you excited about that?
Do you look forward to it?
(October 28, 2002 5:55 AM CST)
Lately the phrase "fresh initiatives" sticks in my mind.
"This means that
It plays over and over.
if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation.
The old order has passed away;
now all is new!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
Are you ready for something new?
Our God is a God of fresh initiatives.
Each day is brand-new.
God is at work right now at this instant.
You are not the same person you were yesterday.
Christ is changing you.
You are being transformed into the likeness of God.
(October 27, 2002 6:25 AM CST)
Jesus said to them,
Teach your children to pray.
"From the speech of infants and children
you have framed a hymn of praise."
Matthew 21:16
Have them sing to the Lord.
Teach them to praise God.
They will be blessed.
You will be blessed.
(October 26, 2002 6:56 AM CDT)
"Happy are you who fear the Lord,
Do you have respect for God?
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
happy shall you be, and favored."
Psalms 128:1-2
Do you have reverence toward the Lord?
Do you walk with the Jesus?
Is he at your side?
You will be blessed.
You will be happy.
Stay near the Lord always.
(October 25, 2002 5:57 AM CDT)
We thank the Lord that the
snipers in Maryland were captured
.
"God is love,
It's all about love.
Lord, have mercy on their souls.
Lord, protect us from evil.
and he who abides in love
abides in God,
and God in him."
1 John 4:16
God loves us.
We love God.
We love each other.
Do that today.
Make an effort to love.
Show that you care.
This brings us all closer to God and each other.
(October 24, 2002 5:55 AM CDT)
This morning everything outside is coated with snow.
"Peter first made everyone go outside;
The dead come back to life.
The trees still have their leaves on.
We received an inch or two of wet snow.
It is very beautiful.
then he knelt down and prayed.
Turning to the dead body, he said,
'Tabitha, stand up.'
She opened her eyes, then looked at Peter and sat up.
He gave her his hand and helped her to her feet."
Acts 9:40-41
In Christ the lifeless find life.
Peter prayed first and then asked for a miracle.
Do you pray first or do you just ask?
Seek the Lord in prayer.
Expect a miracle.
Look at the Lord.
Take his hand and stand up.
Find life in Christ.
(October 23, 2002 6:01 AM CDT)
"Wherever he put in an appearance,
Jesus, we call on you today to heal the sick.
in villages, in towns or at crossroads,
they laid the sick in the market places and
begged him to let them touch
just the tassel of his cloak.
All who touched him got well."
Mark 6:56
We come to you.
We need you.
We are hurting.
Heal us, Lord.
Heal us in the most holy name of Jesus.
Touch us and make us well.
Heal this person I know that needs surgery in Denver.
Be with them and their family.
Thank you for hearing our prayers.
(October 22, 2002 5:53 AM CDT)
"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
You are part of the family.
a holy nation, a people he claims for his own
to proclaim the glorious works
of the One who called you from darkness
into his marvelous light.
Once you were no people,
but now you are God's people;
once there was no mercy for you,
but now you have found mercy."
1 Peter 2:9-10
God has called you.
You have been chosen.
He has given you mercy and forgiveness.
He has blessed you with light and joy.
Thank the Lord for his goodness.
(October 21, 2002 6:20 AM CDT)
"Let no one delude himself.
Who is truly wise?
If any one of you thinks he is wise in a worldly way,
he had better become a fool.
In that way he will really be wise,
for the wisdom of this world is absurdity with God."
1 Corinthians 3:18-19
Is it you?
Do you know it all?
Seek wisdom from above and not of this earth.
Call on the Holy Spirit for true wisdom and understanding.
Don't be absurd.
(October 20, 2002 7:07 AM CDT)
Jesus said,
How important are you?
"Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled
and he who humbles himself shall be exalted."
Luke 14:11
Are you better than the people around you?
Do you look down at others?
Examine yourself.
You need humility.
(October 19, 2002 7:56 AM CDT)
Jesus said,
Your faith will grow.
"The reign of God is like a mustard seed
which someone took and sowed in his field.
It is the smallest seed of all,
yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants."
Matthew 13:31-32
It will become stronger.
It takes time.
Life is a garden.
With God's help it will become something beautiful.
Be patient with yourself.
God is at work in your life.
Cheri Keaggy sang about this
in the song
"My Faith Will Stay"
.
Click on this link and then the song's name
to hear a 48-second sample of it.
(October 17, 2002 6:21 AM CDT)
"Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name;
Thank the Lord today.
make known among the nations his deeds."
Psalms 105:1
Give thanks for all that he has done.
He is most generous.
He is kind and merciful.
He forgives our sins, if we ask.
He gives us food to eat.
He keeps us alive.
Thank the Lord.
Praise his name.
Praise the name of Jesus.
(October 16, 2002 6:21 AM CDT)
"What we await are new heavens and a new earth
One day justice will come.
where, according to his promise,
the justice of God will reside."
2 Peter 3:13
Evil will be put down forever.
A new day will dawn.
Jesus will return.
There will be peace on earth.
Come, Lord Jesus.
(October 15, 2002 6:20 AM CDT)
Yesterday
Bob Garrett
put a full page advertisement
"The grace of God has appeared,
God comes to you.
in the Omaha newspaper on page 6A.
It was the text of Matthew 5:3 to 7:27.
God bless him.
offering salvation to all men (and women)."
Titus 2:11
He offers you life with him forever.
Will you accept this gift?
Will you respond to his love?
It is your decision.
(October 14, 2002 6:20 AM CDT)
"For such a mission as this,
You are to represent Christ to the world.
is anyone really qualified?"
2 Corinthians 2:16
So how are you doing?
Do others see Christ in you?
Do you set a good example?
Do you speak up for the truth?
With Christ at your side you are qualified for the task.
Yes, you need guidance, but you have help.
For example when the discussion comes up
about the
sniper around Maryland
what do you say?
Do you go into hiding or pray for God's protection
and keep living your life.
If the worst should happen,
you would be ready to go home to God.
What words to you say in everyday conversation?
Does your faith come out?
Is it visible?
(October 13, 2002 7:21 AM CDT)
It's 35 F degrees outside this morning in Omaha.
"Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother,
There was his mother.
You can check
Omaha's weather report
.
It's getting colder each day and
the leaves on the trees are bright and beautiful.
his mother's sister,
Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene."
John 19:25
A mother of many sorrows.
This was her son Jesus.
She had raised him.
Many people were insulting him.
He was dying.
Did this have to happen?
Did Jesus have to go through this?
Many questions were in Mary's mind.
She wondered about the plan of God.
She had faith.
She trusted in God.
Somehow she understood through all the tears.
She watched him die.
She had to let go of him.
He returned to God the Father.
He would be raised up on the third day.
She knew he would return to her soon...somehow.
She believed in him.
(October 12, 2002 7:51 AM CDT)
Someone asked Jesus,
Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (verses 30 to 37).
"Who is my neighbor?"
Luke 10:29
A man was hurt on the side of the road
and many did not stop to help him.
The Samaritan did stop and helped the person in need.
Your neighbor is anyone who needs help.
Stop and help them.
Take time to do this.
They are your neighbor.
(October 10, 2002 6:17 AM CDT)
"They have pierced my hands and my feet;
This is a prophecy.
I can count all my bones."
Psalms 22:17
It was written long before Jesus was on earth.
The prophecy was fulfilled at the crucifixion of Jesus.
This is God inspiring the authors in the Bible.
The scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was nailed to the cross.
He died for us.
He gave up everything for us.
Jesus fulfills prophecies.
(October 9, 2002 6:18 AM CDT)
Some say they have discovered a
10th planet
.
"Ground which drinks in the rain
God pours out his love on us each day.
It takes 285 years to go around the sun.
falling on it again and again,
and brings forth vegetation useful
to those for whom it is cultivated,
receives the blessing of God."
Hebrews 6:7
Do you soak it up?
Are you receptive to this gift from above?
Receive this gift.
Let God become rooted in your life.
Drink in the new waters of life.
Receive God's blessings.
(October 8, 2002 6:14 AM CDT)
"At every opportunity pray in the Spirit,
Pray for all Christians.
using prayers and petitions of every sort.
Pray constantly and attentively
for all in the holy company."
Ephesians 6:18
Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Pray for your pastor.
We are a family.
We are one.
Be constant.
Be attentive to daily prayer to God our Father.
Holy Spirit, teach us how to pray.
Bless all our brothers and sisters today.
(October 7, 2002 6:10 AM CDT)
Yesterday I was holding a sign at 24th and L Streets southeast corner
Jesus said,
Your foundation is Jesus.
in Omaha from 2 to 3 PM.
It is called the
Life Chain
.
My sign was in Spanish and said that abortion kills children
(El aborto mata ninos).
It was 55 F degrees, mostly sunny and windy.
Some of the signs got away and blew east down L Street
and they had to be retrieved.
You had to hold on tight to your sign, as the wind attacked.
Many people honked their horns as they drove past.
Some gave us a thumbs up.
A few people yelled at us about their rights or gave us the finger.
They obviously did not agree with us.
So pray for an end to abortion.
Pray that these mothers will put their child up for adoption or keep them.
Please, let the babies live.
"Anyone who has heard my words
but not put them into practice
is like the man who built his house
on the ground without any foundation.
When the torrent rushed upon it,
it immediately fell in and was completely destroyed."
Luke 6:49
Build your life on him.
He tells you what is right and what is wrong.
He knows all about life and protecting it.
Go to him.
Ask him for direction.
The winds and floods will attack you.
Stand up against these things.
Jesus is with you.
He is your foundation.
(October 6, 2002 6:39 AM CDT)
Jesus said,
Two people I work with were married yesterday.
"At the beginning of creation
God made them male and female;
for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and the two shall become as one.
They are no longer two but one flesh."
Mark 10:6-8
There were two weddings somewhere around Denver, Colorado.
I ask God to bless them.
Bless their new lives together.
Bless their families and friends.
May God bless your marriage.
May it be all that God wants it to be.
May you be one.
(October 5, 2002 7:42 AM CDT)
Would you believe that I did not even touch a computer yesterday?
"How could we sing a song of the Lord
What do you do when it seems
I was on vacation.
I had to get away for a day.
I needed a break.
in a foreign land?"
Psalms 137:4
everything is going wrong?
Where do you go?
Who do you turn to?
You are in a foreign land now.
This is not your home.
You are not meant to live here.
You will never be completely happy here.
The things of this world will leave you empty.
You are meant for heaven.
You are made by God.
You are destined to live with Jesus forever in heaven.
Do you have this vision?
Is this your goal?
Seek the Lord with all your heart.
(October 3, 2002 6:13 AM CDT)
"We brought nothing into this world,
How much stuff do you own?
nor have we the power to take anything out.
If we have food and clothing,
we have all that we need."
1 Timothy 6:7-8
Do you have lots of things?
Do you even have things in a rental storage facility?
You don't need all those things.
They are distractions that can keep you away from God.
Live a simple life.
Try to get along with less.
You don't have to buy the latest thing on the market.
You don't need a brand new car or house.
Simply simplify.
Then you will have time to pray and read the Bible.
You will have time for your family and friends.
The idea is to think of others and not yourself.
What can you do for someone else today?
(October 2, 2002 6:12 AM CDT)
"God has given us the wisdom
Christ is our leader.
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased to decree in Christ,
to be carried out in the fullness of time:
namely, to bring all things in the heavens and on earth
into one under Christ's headship."
Ephesians 1:9-10
We follow him.
He is all goodness.
He gives us true wisdom to know him.
He shows us the truth.
He points out the plan for your life.
He brings us to life.
This is life the way it was meant to be.
Follow Christ.
(October 1, 2002 6:08 AM CDT)
"To all in Rome,
God writes a letter to all cities and towns.
beloved of God and called to holiness,
grace and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 1:7
He calls us all beloved.
We are his.
He made us.
We are his children.
Come and learn of your heavenly Father.
Get to know Jesus.
You have been called to holiness.
Be like him.
He was pure and holy.
He sends you his grace and peace today.
