are you packed?

"That you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

Getting ready for a trip is exhausting and unnerving.  Let's see... shorts, shoes, shirts.  Packing consumes time... pajamas, toiletries.  It requires planning... tennis racket, sunglasses, suntan lotion.  And no matter how many time i review my list, something always gets left at home... snacks, camera, hat.

Isn't is awesome to know the packing list for our final trip in light, simple and uncomplicated... just give me Jesus!  It only requires trusting our Father... confess and believe.  Our preparation time is spent in peace... just give me Jesus.

With your packing complete, can you think of anyone who could benefit from your packing knowledge?  Share Him with someone today and lighten their load!

have a Son-filled day!
veneal

a dark night

"... weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

How can someone understand or rationalize the horrific acts of a person like James Holmes?  I don't think it is humanly possible.

How does someone handle and overcome such senseless tragedy?  I don't think it is humanly possible. 

How does someone stop weeping and resume joy after such ghastly acts of violence?  I don't think it is humanly possible.

Where human words and acts fall short, thanks be to God! He has the power to hold and sustain us.  His Word reminds us, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.

May we turn to Him for the Words of comfort, peace and hope we need to muster the strength to continue during trails.  Words like...

"... at the time it happens, I am there."  Isaiah 48:16

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you..." Isaiah 41:10

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word." Psalm 119:28

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge..." Psalm 91:4

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."  Psalm 147:

Jesus said, "... but with God all things are possible."   Matthew 19:26

Some nights are longer than others; but we can trust His Light to diffuse the darkness around us in His perfect time. Only with our God is true joy attainable again after a night of weeping.

Praying for the warmth of God's Hands to be felt by all affected in the Aurora, Colorado tragedy... and all other tragedies.   

have a peace-filled day!
veneal

weather alert... again

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 
³ For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..." Isaiah 43:2-3

Relentless uncertainty -- best describes the weather of late.  For days on end, all we know for sure is some type of storm will pass through our day... anything from drenching rains, deafening thunder and bold lightening to a soft sprinkling of rain through sunshine.  The question is which weather pattern will permeate our path today.  

Our safest and best protection, no matter what level of storm, is God.  Our relationship with Him enables us to rest under His Shield of faithfulness and in His Arms of unconditional love.  Being a believer doesn't stop the storms, but provides us the power, guidance and strength to go through them -- with Him.  Thanks be to God!

There's another storm on the horizon today.  Are you ready for it?  God is; and He will see us through it.

have a peace-filled day!

veneal

stop, drop and ----

"pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

As children, we were taught to stop, drop and roll, if we ever caught on fire.  Three simple acts to save our life, when threaten by fire.  It works best if immediate action occurs... no hesitation.  Any other movement, or lack of movement, can mean permanent scarring or possibly death.

As Christians, we need to adapt the same attitude towards our prayer life... stop, drop and pray.  Imagine the fires we could snuff out in our lives, the scarring that could be prevented or troubling death. 

Do you smell smoke now?  Quickly, stop, drop and pray.  Our Firefighter above wants to take action and bring you peace.

have a prayer-filled day!
veneal

how to put out a fire

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4‑7

Forest fires are raging in Colorado and other areas. As soon as it appears one might be under control, strong winds blow on the dry, parched land to disrupt and spread the fire in yet another direction.  

Are you feeling dry, parched and burned out?  Are you surrounded on all sides by unexpected challenges, foiled plans, forgotten deadlines, and lost thoughts?  Are the unpredictable winds of your life fueling the fires of doubt, anger, resentment and exhaustion -- keeping you in turmoil?  Hear our Father's Word, "Be still and know that I am God."

May the fires in your life be extinguished by stopping and turning to God.  He will soak you with His loving, healing rains from above.  Let His presence calm the winds and fires in your life, and bring refreshment to your dry soul.

have a reign‑filled day!

more power to you

"The tongue has the power of life and death..." Proverbs 18:21

It's astounding how much damage a storm can unleash in a matter of minutes, or even seconds.  Lost power, down telephone lines, down trees, blocked roads, blocked routines.  Storms can cause immediate damage with hopefully quick repairs to follow.  Unfortunately, some repairs turn into uncomfortable, painful longer ones.

A storming of the mouth can have similar results.  A slip or lashing of the tongue can spark horrific damage.  It too brings immediate pain to the person in it's path.  The damage might be repairable, permanent or deadly.

One storm is within our control and the other one isn't... right?  Lord, fill me with Your power and might to control my tongue.  I want to share Your ways with others -- providing the lasting, sweet taste of life with You.  Remove the bitterness from my tongue for a better word of kindness.

have a kind-filled day!

veneal

how can it be?

"You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was make complete by what he did... faith without deeds is dead." James 2:22,26

The difference was obvious, but unexplainable.  One squash plant exploded with delicious delight, while the one beside it produced nothing.  Same planting time, same dirt, same watering, same sunshine... but very different results.  How can it be?

Not only does this happen with vegetables, but with other similar groups -- and even Christians.  We can be planted in the same faith, Christianity; same foundation/soil, God; same watering of the Word, the Bible; under the same "Son"shine, Jesus, our Savior -- yet respond differently or not at all.  How can it be?  Like my garden, looking good but not being productive is of no value.

Lord, help me remember it's not about looking right, but doing right.  Let my faith be complete. Prune me daily for Your good; I want to help produce a bountiful harvest for You and Your kingdom.

have a giving-filled day!

veneal