From Ps 71

The Lord is our hope, our trust, our rock, our fortress and refuge from ages past to eternity to come. He is our merciful Savior and our gracious King, the Only One who blesses us tremendously. Have a full week of goodness, grace, and the glorious splendor of Christ.
{Ps 71:3‭, ‬5}

Modeling

What you model matters.

The lives you lead are being watched and measured much more carefully than you realize. And they're making an impact on others, from spouses to children, from coworkers to church friends, from neighbors to extended family members and beyond.

Never underestimate the power of your presence—or, in some cases, your absence!

~ Dennis Rainey, Moments with You devotional

He is Christmas

It is good, I believe, to look up from the misery and consider the miracle that is Christmas – the “Grand Miracle” as C.S. Lewis so aptly put it. In his own words:

God descends to re-ascend. He comes down; down from the heights of absolute being into time and space, down into humanity… down to the very roots and sea-bed of the Nature He has created. But He goes down to come up again and bring the ruined world up with Him. One has the picture of a strong man stooping lower and lower to get himself underneath some great complicated burden. He must stoop in order to lift, he must almost disappear under the load before he incredibly straightens his back and marches off with the whole mass swaying on his shoulders.

As we pause to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us lift up our eyes and ponder anew the miracle of Christmas.

* * *

Original post by Jim Daly for FaithGateway, 2014. Jim Daly is president and host of Focus on the Family and the author of The Good Dad: Becoming the Father You Were Meant to Be.  

Because of the covenant...

"But because of that foolish, extraordinary vow of marriage, he or she keeps going."

Covenant love carries you beyond I do and through those moments when you almost and feel like giving up. 

Quotes from Marian V. Liautaud, Bible Devotiona for Couples - December 17th, 2016

Come Lord Jesus...

Luke 21:25-28

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.  People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Upper Room December 17th, 2016

OMIP

Before we face this Monday, or try to climb the difficult mountains we face, let us "visit the spring of refreshment that is God Himself." May our thirsty and weary souls find in Him strength for our weekness, refreshment for our weariness, hope for our doubts, and power - great life changing power to overcome our fears and challenges. May God, who "knows all your circumstances, supply a store of comfort and of spiritual strengthening to lift up our heads and give us the strength to" thrive! Have a fabulous week! Love you, Cassius

His command, our goal

This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.

No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12‭-‬13 HCSB

My choice and my prayer

If the LORD God "gave me my choice I would choose no other life than the life I have had and no other death than the" death to self that leads to life and life eternal with Christ Jesus! 

Adapted from "C.S. Lewis Daily" devotion; October 15, 2016
From The Last Battle
Compiled in A Year with Aslan

The Last Battle. Copyright © 1956 by C. S. Lewis Pte., Ltd. Copyright renewed © 1984 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers. A Year With Aslan: Daily Reflections from The Chronicles of Narnia. Copyright © 2010 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. Extracts taken from The Chronicles of Narnia. Copyright © C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. 1950-1956. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

OMIP - 9.5.2016 (part 2)

Repeat after me:

"My God loves me, and he goes in front of me. He will help me defeat my enemies."

Join me in waiting faithfully, with great anticipation, for the monumental Monday blessings of our King.  May we "trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly" and enjoy all He has planned and prepared for us.  Have a great week! Love you, Cassius

http://bible.com/105/psa.59.10.NCV
http://bible.com/97/1co.13.13.MSG

OMIP - 9.5.16

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. [It is He] who forgives all our iniquity, who heals all our diseases, who redeems our life from the pit, who crowns us with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies us with good so that our youth is renewed like the eagle's." And the Lord is He who will do great things for us this week; unimaginably wonderful and breathtakingly beautiful. Have a wonderful week! Love you, Cassius
Psalms 103:3‭-‬5‭, ‬8 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.103.3-8.ESV

On Education

"Education isn't about calculation and formulas [and regurgitation] and finding the one right answer, rather it is about exciting ideas that cut across all sorts of intellectual categories. [It is about] clear and logical thinking, the power of abstraction and languages that allow you to solve problems you've never seen before" and do things once thought impossible.

When someone comes alongside you and speaks truth

Remember these things:

•Keep your focus on Christ! Don't focus on the mess all around you, don't break your gaze for a second.
•For where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work.
•Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. He will strengthen you and help you. He will hold you up with his victorious right hand!
• He will do this for you. You know it and I know it.
• Most of all trust God is with you! He never fails!

My wife, Trish, came alongside me in my need (time of despair and discouragement) and spoke biblicallybased truth into my life. 

May the Everlasting God strengthen us!

An abundant life

Lord, I want an abundant life. But help me to delight myself in You first and foremost, and trust you for the desires of my heart. Help me to never look to anyone or anything else for happiness, and instead look to you as the only One who can give true fulfillment. I put you at the center of my life and my dreams, and ask you to help my friends and family do the same. Amen.

Do not fear the terror around or forsake the everlasting God

Though unrest and chaos surrounds us, the truth that God is Sovereign and Almighty brings us good cheer, unbounded hope, and  unshakable peace. Remember this: All authority has been given to Him (Matt 28.18), His words will never pass away (Matt 24.35), He is our refuge, strength, and ever present help (Ps 46.1), He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13.5), He has overcome the world (Jn 16.33), He has triumphed ( Rev 5.5), and He will make all things new (Rev 21.5). Have a great week! Love you, Cassius

God launch an assault on the mundane

May the Lord God, the Conquering King, launch a full assault against mediocrity and the mundane.  The triumphant Lord of Lords banish boredom, and demolish all remnants of despair from your week.  May His reign and rule replace all feelings of hopelessness with the powerful and effectual works of truth, joy, and gladness.  And may the eternal promises of His grace, mercy and love be transformative, making life abundant and thrilling.

 

A sure and certain gift

I give them a life that is unceasing, and death will not have the last word. Nothing or no one can steal them from My hand. My Father has given the flock to Me, and He is superior to all beings and things. No one is powerful enough to snatch the flock from My Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.

John 10:28-30 (VOICE)

Wildly Wonderful Wednesday

For your journey this Wednesday:

May the Lord God bring you an overflow of encouragement, a banquet of blessings, a bevy of joy, a boatload of tender mercies, a hundredfold hunk of hope, oodles and gobs of grace, a superabundance of steadfast love, and an inexhaustible portion of His perfect peace.

Love you, Cassius

☆ In the trials and stretching, the Lord is near

Just like us...

Do you experience worry, insecurity, fear, disappointment and anger--just like me? Have you made wrong and unwise choices in life--just like me? So you struggle to fit in, or compromise to fit in--just like me?

God is for people just like us, sinners in need of a savior, people in need of peace, insecure folks who need reminders that they are loved and have sacred worth, people with problems and pains in need of a God who knows and understands.

For all the people just like me, those who have messed up, sinners in desperate need-- God sent Christ who is mighty to save, to save people just like us!

Every word of God

http://bible.com/59/pro.30.5.ESV

Every word of God proves true!

Let mercy triumph and let love reign

"Let mercy triumph and let love reign." - Shaunti Feldhahn

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
- Psalm 34:18 ESV

"Hurt, disappointed, or angry, we can still make the choice to believe what is most certainly the truth:" our God, Holy and righteous, really and truly "does have our best interests at heart regardless of what our emotions – or the situation -- might be telling us at the time."

In times of despair look to the cross and realize that the Lord let mercy triumph and caused His love to reign supreme over death, suffering, sin and shame.

Always remind yourself that He is ever faithful, always sovereign, eternally righteous, relentless in steadfast love, and forever working things out for our good and His glory.

May God who is upright, our rock, and in whom there is no unrighteousness (Psalm 92:15), bless you always, especially in moments of heartache and trials.

Blessings to you always, Cassius

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
- Psalm 34:8 ESV

*Quotes adapted from Shaunti Feldhahn,  Biblical Secrets to a Happy Marriage devotional

No one else Lord

http://bible.com/59/psa.73.25.ESV

I have only God and God is the only One I need.

Blessed are we... those whose help is God

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. - Psalm 146:5-9 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm146:5-9&version=NIV

Only One

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus.  

Monday - 3.11.16

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." The Lord God is our strength, portion and our hope. He is continually with us, holding our hands, preparing our days and providing for us in love. May God bless us to experience and fully enjoy this great day; a fine, fun, fabulous, festive, fantastic, and favor filled Friday! Love ya, Cassius
(~Psalm 73:23, 26)

Really super

Boom! Pow! Bam! Ka-pow! Slam! Bang! Splat! Those aren't the sounds of Batman, but of our true Super Hero, Christ the Super Savior, beating down the enemy, crushing our trials, defeating every challenge, and beating the brakes of our foes and obstacles. We will have a Fantastic day! Bam!

Beatdown

Boom! Pow! Bam! Ka-pow! Slam! Bang! Splat! Those aren't the sounds of Batman, but of our true Super Hero, Christ the Super Savior, beating down the enemy, crushing our trials, defeating every challenge, and beating the brakes of our foes and obstacles. We will have a Fantastic Friday! Bam!

From inspirations and reading

Hurt, worried, wounded, lost, needy, broken?

The Healer knows our hurts. The Prince of Peace knows our worries. The Comforter knows our grief. The Shepherd knows our path. The Sovereign knows our load. The Provider knows our wants. The Redeemer knows our brokenness.

May the Lord God, who alone is Healer, Peace, Comforter, Shepherd, Sovereign, Provider, Redeemer and Lover give you all that is needed to make all that is wrong, right again.

OMIP 2.2016

"Cast your burden on the Lord, he will support you! God will never let the righteous be shaken (Ps 55.22)!"

May the Lord hold our hearts, lift our spirits, shoulder our load and keep us steadfast, unshaken, and secured by His grace.

Have a great week!

OMIP 2.8.15

As our week unfolds, may we experience the sweetness and light of a relationship with God, God's company on our journey in the times when we need it the most, His peace and comfort in our darkest trial and the all-encompassing joy of life lived in the arms of our Savior.

OMIP - 1.25.16

May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. Psalm 25:21 ESV

May the steadfast love and faithfulness of God bless and protect us.

Friday

The Lord God is a deep, life-giving well who richly and freely gives unto us. May His designs, plans and precious promises take their beautiful shape in the form of our favor rich, favor filled Friday. Love ya

Terrific Tuesday

God make the starring attraction of our day the Risen Christ. Give major supporting roles to healing, wholeness, kind words, gentleness and encouragement.

Lord, within today's thrilling episode with Christ Jesus, grant a prime part to grace, mercy, love, joy and peace.

Father Almighty, let heartfelt praise, appropriate words, hymns of gratitude, and unending thanksgiving be our soundtrack.

Jesus, because You are the star, director, writer, producer, editor, technician, sponsor, artist, conductor, studio owner, designer, and chief executive this production of Tuesday will be stellar, award winning, miraculous, beautiful and grand.

This is going to be a great day!

OMIP

More than anything I am praying that God, our help in ages past and our hope for years to come, will bring us a week with unbelievable joy, unending love, unquenchable hope and the unbeatable power we need to be victorious, successful and triumphant.

The Lord God make our week nothing short of awesome.

He is... enough and more

He is the Grand Artist, True King, Master Weaver, Master Conductor, Chief Composer, Awesome Ruler, Glorious One, Lord, Infinitely Wise, Grand Musician, Author of Life, Finisher of our faith, Father, Designer, Creator God, Redeemer, Righteousness, Everlasting, Sovereign, River of Life, our Joy, Wisdom, Name above all names, Lord of lords, King of Kings, Enthroned One and... more.

Of the list and power, dominion and authority of God... it goes on and on... and on...

OMIP

We are hand crafted, delicately made, fine tuned, and beautiful instruments of love, peace, grace and change.

The great Conductor, grand Musician, and Eternal Composer make our week an amazing symphony of sounds, sights, success and breathtaking moments.

Answer the bell

Despite your failures, difficult circumstances, and poor decisions - answer the bell!

Despite setups and setbacks, and people who hurt or discouraged you - answer the bell!

Despite wounds, storms, trials and pain - answer the bell!

Prayer against bad words

Lord make me sensitive to those I may be harming with my words. Father, bring any reckless words to my attention and give me the strength and wisdom to seek forgiveness from those I have harmed with my words. God, grant me the same strength to forgive those who’ve harmed me with their words.

I seek to stop my sarcasm, negativity, gossip, complaining and hurtful speech.  I  seek You and Your strength to speek truth in love, kindness, encouragement, positive and edifying words that bring life and hope.  Help me season my words with grace.

Amen 

Still Happy

Happy New Year! 

 Let us worship God for the great year and years gone by. And let us thank God for waking us up to see, experience and enjoy a new year of hope, opportunity, divine love and success. 

 May our 2016 be blessed by the power of God, the love of God, the favor of God, and the sweet presence of God!

Happy New Year!