Breakfast For Your Soul

November 5, 2009

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [ Lev 19:18.]

[Galatians 5:14]

Do You Know and Love You?

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If I live to be a hundred
And never see the seven wonders
That’ll be alright
Should my tender heart be broken
I will cry those teardrops knowing…
I will be just fine
‘Cause nothing changes who I am
I am Rosemary’s grand-daughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done…
My momma’s still my biggest fan
Sometimes I’m clueless and I’m clumsy
But I’ve got friends that love me
And they know just where I stand
It’s all a part of me
And that’s who I am
That’s who I am

(Sue Thomas, FBI Theme song)

Good Afternoon Beloved,

You may think, “man, that sure is a strange way to open a Christian devotion”.  I was in another room, when the show came on, and I thought, “wow, I could have written that song describing myself.  The only difference is my grandma’s name was “Ms. El-nore”.. and all my friends and kinfolk say, “AMEN”.  Self love has been stretched to un-Godly limits these days.  Some people are a little “too” in love with themselves.  There are some who are so self absorbed that the only time they do something for someone else is when it benefits them in some sort of way.  That is off-balanced and so not cute.  God’s Word is not talking about that kind of ‘me-me-me-me-me’ism’.  The Bible is balanced.  God knows that we can’t really love if our love tank is on ‘E’.  Ever met someone whose was running a little low in the love department?  How they feel about themselves (good or bad) will seep into every facet of their life.  It will affect how they treat their family, friends, church members, co-workers, even random people on the street.  For the child of God, it can be an even greater detriment. How many times have you heard of folks leaving, not only the church, but God Himself because of their encounters with loveless, bitter, angry saints.  Something is wrong somewhere and as we take inventory of our life we need to find out what it is.  Some people were told by people who held influence over them, (parents, “friends”, spouses) that they were no good, pitiful, stupid, ugly and that nobody would ever love or want them etc… etc…  Somewhere along the line they received those “death words” in their hearts, digested them, and they became a part of their everyday life.  We may have entered into the fall season, but it’s never too late to do a little “spring cleaning”.  Get rid of all that junk.  You are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  We all came here with a crazy sin-nature, but we have a new nature now.  God loved you so much that He sent Jesus to die and if you were the only person on the planet that ever accepted Him, He would have still done it.

…. Now THAT Beloved is shoutin’ Good News!

U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Evening

Regina

“I Like Me”, Kirk Franklin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wneWvEWMKs

“Son of Man”, Tye Tribbett w/Mali Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdu7fb0g6Mo

“Set Me Free”, Myron Butler & Levi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqikzIDqNAQ

“Lead Me Jesus”, Greg O’Quin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=896ZBM-GA9c

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

“ALRIGHT“

Good Morning Beloved,

My daughter hates when I say that.  It usually comes after repeated warnings and promised discipline.  “Alright” has come to mean, “I’m through talking and consequences are coming”.  No one likes discipline.  We were born with our own will.  Some are a little more strong-willed than others but we’re all guilty.  I remember hearing an account told by a Christian Professor.  His class engaged him in a debate on ‘absolutes’.  Their position was that there was no ‘right or wrong’.  They believed that what is right for you, may may not be right for me, and vice versa.  He gave his class an assignment they had three months to complete. A few finished the assignment on time.  As the time grew closer, frantic excuses started pouring in.  Many accused the Professor of being unfair, because they had so many other courses and responsibilities.  The good Professor changed the date and gave them a few extra days which many gratefully accepted.  When the deadline came, again he was met with pleas and more excuses, this time it was different.  They weren’t as passionate and desperate as they were the first time.  This time they were a lot more relaxed.  They believed that since they had gotten over on him the last time, this time would be no different.  Students were laid back in their chairs with looks of triumph on their faces. This time all who had not completed their assignment were given failing grades.  They were angry and accused the Professor of being a harsh, unfair teacher.  He reminded them of the grace he had extended to them (which they had agreed to).  They said he was ‘wrong’, he reminded them of their position … “no right and wrong remember”.  He also reminded them of the people who were able to finish their assignment by the first due date.  Sounds like God.  He gave us His laws and statutes.  We couldn’t uphold them 24/7.  So, Jesus came, wrapped Himself in humanity and walked among us teaching us how to live.  Then He gave Himself as a sacrifice… pure and holy.  His death, paid the price for our sins and put us in right standing with God.  He didn’t stop there, He was buried, went to hell, took the keys to death, hell and the grave, releasing the captives, and rose with all power in His hands!  Then He sent His Holy Spirit to help us.  He has given humanity chance after chance, time after time.  He is still given us chances… space to repent… ‘do over’ time and when He says, “alright”, we will all be without excuse… This why every brand new day He gives us is a gift.  Another day… a clean slate a chance for a new start.  A chance to be better then we were yesterday… a chance to be “alright”…

… and that Beloved is Good News!

U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

 *warning look from Aunt Ellen to Jared & Bradley (Homecoming Queen, 2009)

“Never Seen Your Face”, The Williams Brothers w/ K&K Mime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQwYnagGw1A

“I Have A Friend”, Clint Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i3GMSY6Dp4

“Here I Am”, Kevin LeVar & One Sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJGD6qqPCo

“You Are My Hiding Place“, Selah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co6HXUN19AY

Friday, January 16, 2009

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Deafening Silence From Heaven…

Ever experienced times when you wonder where God is?  You’re not ‘feeling’ Him.  He doesn’t appear to be anywhere around.  What is going on? What do you do?  Well, I’ve got great news… He didn’t go anywhere.  He is still as near as our next breath, whether we sense Him or not.  He said that He would “never leave or forsake us”… how long is never? During those times, we need to take stock in what is going on.  We start with us and move outward.  Are we doing what we did when we felt His presence?  Where is our focus?  Did we do the last thing we heard God instruct us to do?  Are we caught up in something we need to shake off and place on the altar?  Who are we listening too?  Are they strengthening our faith, or chipping away at it?  I’ve heard people say that if they could see Jesus they would believe in Him.  Here is an instance right in our very own bible, that tells us how 11 of Jesus’ DISCIPLES saw Him and some of them doubted!  This was a tumultuous period.  Jesus had been resurrected from the dead, and the leaders were so afraid that people would come to believe in this Messiah, that they paid off the soldiers, telling them to say that Jesus’ disciples had carried Him away.  They even went so far as to tell them that they would protect them from the wrath of the Governor (they could have been put to death for ‘losing’ this body).  To this day, that is a common thought among the Jewish people, and others as an explanation of what happened to the body of Jesus.  Anytime the question arises in our hearts, we would do well to remember that; “He is risen” (Matthew 28:6), He is “seated with God” (John 1:1-2), He hears our every prayer (proverbs 15:29, John 9:31, 1 John 5:14), He is “a very present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1), and He is “making intercession” (Hebrews 7:25) for us. 

“Healing”, Richard Smallwood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxjiWbEnuUQ

“Everyday”, Darwin Hobbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spWfcFFxym0

Walk In The Light -1 John 1:7 50 of 107   The world around us is dark & scary & full of sin. But if we stay close to Jesus, we will be safe in His light. October 14, 2007

Angel Security -Psalm 91:11 40 of 107   Here is the verse in context. It is quite a promise from God’s Word. “If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” – Psalm 91: 9-12 NIV

Monday, January 12, 2009

Archery Tournament -Romans 3:23,24 97 of 107   Jesus is the only person whose arrow has ever hit the target of God’s standard of righteousness. If put our faith in Jesus, God counts our arrow the same as if it were Jesus’ arrow. October 12, 2008

Good Morning Beloved,

Romans 3:23 has been the source of many a serious debate.  Some feel that it gives people license to sin (as if they really needed one).  I believe that the closer we become to Jesus… the more space He takes up in our heart, the more like Him we will become.  Have you ever noticed when people hang with each other a lot, after a while they start looking and sounding alike; sometimes finishing each others sentences.  That is what happens with us.  It is a unique paradigm, God treasures our individuality and our differences, but our heart is changing to look like Jesus.  Our faith and trust in God, our love and concern for others, our integrity, our boldness are all traits found in Jesus, that God is cultivating in us.  It is a lifelong project that we are privileged to share with our Heavenly Father.  I heard someone say, “but God is a God a wrath too”.  Yes, He is.  No doubt about that, just take a little stroll through the pages of scripture, and you will see that God can get very angry.  Thank God for Jesus.  Mediator between God and humanity.  I like the picture of God as Judge and Jesus as the defense attorney.  When the accuser of the brethren lodges his case against us (some of which is true by the way), if we confess our sins and throw ourselves on the mercy of the court, the defense attorney rolls up His sleeves and shows the court the nail scars…case dismissed…the debt was paid in full!

… and that my Royal Sibling is Good News!

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

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Tye Tribbett “Sinking”:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvK1LfBxx7g

Tye Tribbett “Still Have Joy”:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfJ2LZQbvs4