Thursday June 30

So, here we are, end of June.  The year will be half way - finished or to go... a month and a half of summer break, then back to it.  We surely could use God's blessings right now.  
So, today we will turn to God's Word and see where we need to go:



(Psa 30:1)  A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple. I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.


(Psa 30:2)  O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.


(Psa 30:3)  O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.


(Psa 30:4)  Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.


(Psa 30:5)  For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.


(Psa 30:6)  As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."


(Psa 30:7)  By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.


(Psa 30:8)  To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:


(Psa 30:9)  "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?


(Psa 30:10)  Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!"


(Psa 30:11)  You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,


(Psa 30:12)  that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Truly oh my Lord God, Heavenly Father, I will give thanks to You forever.  In all things I am blessed because You, my God, my Creator and my Redeemer, You chose to love me.  

Thank you God.

Wednesday June 29

Oh Lord my God, my Heavenly Father,
I praise You, worship You, fear You, love You, and yet I do not know You fully, as deeply as I should.  I pray oh God of gods, please open mine eyes, my heart, my soul, my mind, my body to Your Love and Grace.  
Dear Heavenly Father, I am so lost, so forlorn and confused.  After all this journey, You bring me to a point in my life where I seem to have nothing, to have so little to show for all my labors.  I am impecuniousness, I am without my family and loved ones now, separated by distance and time.  I sit alone most days and wait for Your word in my life.  
Father, my Lord God, I yield.  I surrender all, I bow down with a "poor spirit" and "meekly" "mourn" my sinful nature and my sins, I confess that I  am not worthy of Your Love and Grace, of Your gift of Salvation through Jesus my Lord and Savior... but I submit my lowly self to You Almighty God, all of me, all that I am and have for I "hunger and thirst" for Your righteousness, Your Love. 
Father, Bless me with Your Holy Spirit, to sustain and guide me, to give me direction and Hope.  Holy Father, I need You for I am nothing, less than a worm without You.  
Help me oh my God, my Lord and my Maker.  Help me and fill me, indwell in me and make me Your humble servant.  This world is but an temporary and brief time.  I seek to know Your Love and to be filled with Your Holy Presence.  
This I pray in the name of my Savior, my Redeemer, my Jesus, Your Beloved Son, who died on the Cross for my Salvation and Redemption.  Amen.

Tuesday June 28

Tuesday is a neat day.  For me it seems to be the day that most work gets done, when we plow on, moving with resigned state of mind that we might as well get this done.  What are you going to do today?


Today's meditation is from Charles Spurgeon:



June 28


Morning
“Looking unto Jesus.” - Heb_12:2


It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.” 
All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.” 
Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument-it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. 
We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.


“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness:
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”


Evening
“But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” - Exo_7:12


This incident is an instructive emblem of the sure victory of the divine handiwork over all opposition. Whenever a divine principle is cast into the heart, though the devil may fashion a counterfeit, and produce swarms of opponents, as sure as ever God is in the work, it will swallow up all its foes. If God’s grace takes possession of a man, the world’s magicians may throw down all their rods; and every rod may be as cunning and poisonous as a serpent, but Aaron’s rod will swallow up their rods. The sweet attractions of the cross will woo and win the man’s heart, and he who lived only for this deceitful earth will now have an eye for the upper spheres, and a wing to mount into celestial heights. 
When grace has won the day the worldling seeks the world to come. The same fact is to be observed in the life of the believer. What multitudes of foes has our faith had to meet! Our old sins-the devil threw them down before us, and they turned to serpents. What hosts of them! Ah, but the cross of Jesus destroys them all. Faith in Christ makes short work of all our sins. Then the devil has launched forth another host of serpents in the form of worldly trials, temptations, unbelief; but faith in Jesus is more than a match for them, and overcomes them all. 
The same absorbing principle shines in the faithful service of God! With an enthusiastic love for Jesus difficulties are surmounted, sacrifices become pleasures, sufferings are honours. But if religion is thus a consuming passion in the heart, then it follows that there are many persons who profess religion but have it not; for what they have will not bear this test. 
Examine yourself, my reader, on this point. Aaron’s rod proved its heaven-given power. Is your religion doing so? If Christ be anything he must be everything. O rest not till love and faith in Jesus be the master passions of your soul!


I pray that God's love and protection, His divine Love and Grace fills your day.  Let's love and follow our Master and Savior Jesus and release ourselves so that the Holy Spirit can fill us.  Have a blessed day.

Monday June 27

Last week of June, turning into July! 


Oh Dear God, I am in awe of You and I cannot even begin to understand Your many, many mysteries.  You are my Creator, You are the center and perimeter of my life.  My Lord God, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Keeper, my Guide, my Hope, my Comfort, my Love... Almighty God, I submit and surrender all, my life, my family, my time, my gifts from You, all that I am and will be to Your Will.  


I ask for things because I wish to do well for my family, my wife, my children.  I ask for things out of ignorance.  I profess I know nothing and only submit my self to You.  Lord Jesus, hear my prayer.  Holy Spirit, hear my supplications and take them to the Father.  I am without any justification or right other than Your promises and Your Holy Word.  I ask because You directed us to ask.  But, You are my God and I am nothing without You.  I submit my will, my heart, soul and mind to You.  And I stand on Your Promises!



June 27


THE GREAT SHEPHERD
"Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will."-- Heb_13:20-21.


IT IS most comforting that our Heavenly Father is "the God of Peace.'" He is the God of the gentle zephyr, of the evening glow, of the mother's brooding care; and may be trusted by His gentleness and patience to make us great. Bruised reeds are not trampled beneath His feet, and the smoking flax is fanned into a flame. Do not be afraid of God--He is the God of Peace!
He brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep. As our Lord descended into the Valley of Death, He breathed His departing spirit into the Father's hands. He knew that the path of life would unfold before Him. He knew that the Father's welcome awaited Him. And God did not fail Him! However low He went, when He descended into Hades, the Everlasting Arms were always beneath Him; and Him did God raise up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.
And will God do less for the Flock!? There are many of the sheep that have been scattered in the cloudy and dark days. Will every sheep and lamb be recovered, and led to the green pastures and beside the quiet waters of Paradise? Yes, every one! The great Shepherd would not be content if one were missing of those whom the Father has given Him (Joh_10:28-29). Remember His own parable of the Shepherd who left the ninety and nine to recover the one. If you have come to Him by your will and choice, you are included in the Father's gift.
We are secure in the position which His grace has given us. It is secured not only by the promise of God, but sealed by the Blood of the Cross. 
That is the meaning of the words: "The Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant." Note that word eternal, which carries us back to the timeless past, when this compact was made. We may therefore humbly believe that our names are written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world (Rev_13:8; Rev_21:27). But we are saved to save others! It is thus that we make our calling and election sure (2Pe_1:10).


PRAYER
We thank Thee, O blessed Master, not only that Thou hast cleansed us from our sins, but that Thou hast entered into, and ratified by Thy precious blood, the eternal covenant which has made us Thine for ever. AMEN.

Sunday June 26

I pray that you are a Christian... that is, a Son of God with Jesus's blood sacrifice for your redemption and salvation.  I pray that you have fully accepted through God given Faith that you love God and worship God in fear and love.  
But, in my humble opinion, there are so many out there who say well their religion but do not follow our Lord's commandments.  I am afraid that I must admit I am one of those a lot of the time.  Not by intent, but I guess out of weakness and laziness and self satisfaction.  I ask God to forgive me.  I ask God through the Holy Spirit and Jesus my redeemer to help me and give me His love and grace, to give me His love to pass on.  We must be doers of the Word as well as so called followers.  Consider today's meditation by F.B. Meyer:



June 26


PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is. dead also."-- Jam_2:26.


JAMES IS described as "the Lord's brother" in Gal_1:19. He was surnamed "the Just," and was much respected beyond the limits of the Christian Church for his saintly life. While St. Paul deals specially with doctrine, James is concerned with practice; Paul expounds the wonderful significance of Christ's death and resurrection; James expounds the teaching of our Lord, especially in the Sermon on the Mount. Paul insists on faith as the means of justification before God; James lays stress on the works to which faith must lead.
It seems likely that James had seen Paul's Epistles, for he uses so many of the same phrases and examples, and probably set himself to combat those who abused the teaching of the great Apostle. There were plenty in his time who believed about Christ, and prided themselves in the orthodoxy and accuracy of their creed; and James maintains that this is not sufficient to save the soul.
As far as orthodoxy goes, no creed can be more absolutely orthodox than that held by evil spirits. Repeatedly, during our Lord's life, they acknowledged that He was the Holy One of God, but their belief had no effect on their character; it only filled them with fear and dread.

Jas 2:18  But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith from my works. 
Jas 2:19  You believe that there is one God, you do well; even the demons believe and tremble. 
Jas 2:20  But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 

"Faith without works is dead." It is good to test ourselves. We must see to it that our heart is pure and our way absolutely transparent. In our dealings with those around us, we must always seek to realize our highest conceptions of love and duty. Even when our efforts of goodwill and affection are not reciprocated, we must never lower the high standard of our action, but always keep before us the conception of our Saviour's life in the Home at Nazareth. Be merciless to yourself, but always merciful to others, always bearing the burdens of those around you, always moderating your pace to the weak and weary, as Greatheart did for the pilgrims. Even Rahab was justified by a faith which wrought itself out in beautiful and unselfish action (Jam_2:25; Heb_11:31). Remember our Lord's words in Mat_7:20-21.

Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 
Mat 7:19  Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 
Mat 7:20  Therefore by their fruits you shall know them. 
Mat 7:21  Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. 



PRAYER
Help us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to add to our faith, brotherly kindness, and pardon the unkind word or impatient gesture; the hard and selfish deed, the failure to give kindly help where we had the opportunity. Enable us so to live that we may daily do something to lessen the tide of human sorrow and need, and add to the sum of human happiness. AMEN.


Lord, I pray for your inner peace, for your grace, for your gifts of faith and hope, for your blessings of love and that you will bless me with your Holy Spirit to sustain me.  In Jesus's Holy Name, amen.

Saturday June 25

June 25


THE RECEPTIVITY OF FAITH
"'Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith."-- Heb_10:22.
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith."-- Eph_3:17.


FAITH IS our power of appropriation. 
The pity is that we are so slow to make use of our Lord s resources! He does not force Himself upon us. Though He brings with Him gold tried in the fire that we may be enriched, and white raiment for our clothing, and eye-salve for our blindness; and though He knows how urgently we need these things, He will not force them on our acceptance. Rather, He stands and knocks, as a travelling merchant knocks at the door, who has wares to dispose of, and we need to open the door and receive the gifts which are offered, without money and without price (Rev_3:18-20; Isa_55:1-2).


Faith is our reception of the spiritual to make good the lack of the physical. 
It is a drawing on the Eternal for the deficiencies of our earthly pilgrimage. 
Probably when we look back on our present life, we shall find that our deficiencies were permitted, and even assigned, that we might be driven to avail ourselves of the fullness of the Lord Jesus (Joh_1:16; Eph_3:19). 
We were allowed to wander in the sultry heat, that we might know Him as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary land; we were exposed to wild tempests and storms, that we might make for alcoves and harbours in Him that we should otherwise have missed.


It has been truly observed that Job's rebellious moods arose when he thought that God was afar off, but there was a difference when he realised that God was suffering with him. Remember that you are not divided from God by a deep chasm. He knows your sorrows. In all your afflictions He is afflicted. We have not a High Priest, who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. When Jesus saw the sisters weeping, He not only succoured them, but entered into their distress, and wept with them.


Are you weary with burdens that are crushing you?
 Is your lot cast with them that hate peace? 
Is your heart oppressed with loneliness? 
Take Jesus into account. Don't face your difficulties alone, but meet them in the fellowship of your Saviour. Have faith, i.e., reckon on God. Let the Lord Christ dwell in your heart, and He will be responsible for all, as you reckon on Him for all.


PRAYER
O Lord, I open my nature, and since my capacity is small, I pray that by love and faith, by patience and suffering, Thou wilt enlarge my heart, that it may be filled with all the fullness of God. AMEN.


May God, through His Son and the Holy Spirit, indwell in you and me today.  


Lord, I surrender all and ask you to indwell in me, that You bless me with the Holy Spirit!

Friday June 24

Do you have inner peace, the deep peace with yourself and the world?  That means you have accepted many things of course.  The most important has to be accepting Jesus as your Redeemer, Savior, your Lord.  Today's meditation is on this point.



June 24


THE BASIS OF PEACE
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."-- Rom_5:1.
"Having made peace through the blood of His Cross."-- Col_1:20.


THE BASIS of redemption and peace was laid on Calvary, when our Lord died for the sins of the world. In Lev_17:11, we learn that "the life, or soul, of the flesh is in the blood' (R.V. marg.); from which we infer that the forth-flowing of the blood of Christ was the forth-pouring of His soul as a sacrifice for sin.
It may be asked: Granted that the blood of Christ represents His soul which was poured out for sinful men, how did this marvellous act of self-sacrifice constitute a basis for peace? The full answer to that question is impossible in our present limited knowledge. It is one of the secret things which belong to the Lord our God, hidden from us now, to be revealed when we are full-grown.
But never suppose that the shedding of Christ's blood was necessary to make God love us, to appease His wrath or wring from His unwilling hand an edict of redemption. "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.'" The Father does not love us because Jesus died, but He went to the Cross because of God's love for us who chose us to be joint-heirs with His Son.
But there is one condition to be fulfilled. The access into Peace is open only to those who believe. We are justified by faith; we have peace through believing. The Apostle says that "through our Lord Jesus Christ we have now received the Atonement" (Col_1:11). The redemption is accomplished; we have but to receive it. The atonement of peace is made, it is only for us to take it. "For as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." As we receive eternal life, and the Holy Spirit with open and thankful hearts, relying on the Divine assurance by faith, we enter into the great inheritance of Peace, and the gifts of God in Grace and Nature become our own.


PRAYER
O Most Merciful Lord, 
Grant to me, above all things that can be desired, to rest in Thee, and in Thee to have my heart at peace. 
Thou art the true peace of the heart, 
Thou its only rest; 
out of Thee all things are hard and restless. 
In this very peace that is in Thee, 
the one Eternal God, I will sleep and rest. AMEN.


I pray that you and I will be given this gift.  I know that with faith all things are possible.  God bless you with His Peace today!

Thursday June 23

Wow, the last week of June... it ends a week from now.  June is such a transitional month... from early summer to the heat of summer, from school to summer vacation, from intense focus to relief and release for millions of students, a month of new beginnings and many marriages, a wonderful month... it is also the half way point of the year.  Fathers' day, Flag day, finals, finishing... and we look forward to July. 
What are you doing now?  What do you want to do?  Where are you going from here?
Do not worry!  If you have God, you have everything and all things.  God has promised you, His child, and God keeps His promises.  It may not be the way You want, but it will always be better - because that's God's way.  Your Heavenly Father knows what you need and what you want... Pray to God, talk to your Heavenly Father.


Consider today's meditation:



June 23


Promises to God Based on Promises from God
He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"  (Heb_13:5-6)
Another acceptable category of promises to God involves those based on His promises to us. God has already promised to be with us every step of our pilgrimage here on earth. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Consequently, we can declare with great confidence: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me? "  
The Lord knows our vulnerability to fear, particularly, the fear of man. "The fear of man brings a snare" (Pro_29:25). Many traps and entanglements await those who are afraid of man's opinions or actions. Abraham jeopardized his own wife, because he was afraid of the Egyptians. "Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, 'This is his wife'; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you" (Gen_12:12-13). 
King Saul sinned against God, because he feared the people. "Then Saul said to Samuel, 'I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice' " (1Sa_15:24). Of course, God's protection against such snares is to depend upon Him, when we are tempted to fear man. "The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe."  
The Lord has given many promises of His presence with His people to protect them from man. To Joshua, God promised: "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you" (Jos_1:5). 
To Paul, the Lord promised: "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9-10). 
To every believer in Christ, He has promised: "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Mat_28:20). Therefore, "we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'  "  
When our promises are based on the promises of God, the faithfulness and the ability of God become their validation. 


Dear Lord, You know my tendency to think and act from fear of what others might say or do. When I am tempted to respond in this carnal manner, please remind me of Your constant presence. I want to trust You as my helper and not fear what man may do, In Jesus's Holy name, Amen.


Dear Brother or Sister,
May our Great God bless you and give you all His grace.  May your Faith sustain you through all trials and bring you into His loving presence.  

Wednesday June 22

Golly, it sure seems to me that time is slipping away very quickly.  It feels like just yesterday that we finished school and it's been nearly two weeks already.  Time, the great equalizer, the center of nature, the keeper of order.  
How have you spent your time?  I'm in a "wait and see" mode for the moment.  I'm waiting for some dental work to be completed.  I'm waiting to see if my marriage is going to go on.  I'm waiting for a lot of things.  And I pray.  Perhaps ineffectively.  
Today's meditation by F. B. Meyer addresses this:



June 22


ANSWERED PRAYER
"If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you."-- Joh_15:7.


OUR LORD expected answers to His prayers, and in all His teaching He leads us to feel that we shall be able to obtain, through prayer, what otherwise would not come to our hand. He knew all that was to be known of natural law; but notwithstanding His perfect acquaintance with the mysteries of His Father's government, He said: "If ye shall ask anything of the Father, He will give it you in My Name."
When we consider the lives of some who have wrought mightily for God, it is clear that they learned a secret which eludes many of us. This is from the biography of Dr. Burns Thomson: "When much together as students," writes his friend, "we agreed on special petitions, and the Lord encouraged us by giving us answers, so early and so definite, as could only have come from Himself, so that no room was left for the shadow of doubt that God was the Hearer and Answerer of prayer. Once the answer came the same day, and at another time whilst we were yet speaking. My friend often spoke of our agreement, to the glory of Him who fulfilled to us His promise; and I refer to it to encourage others." This is but one leaf out of the great library of prayers, intercessions, and supplications, which stand recorded before God.
Prayer which is to prevail must be: 

• For the glory of the Father. Whatever petition we offer must be tested by this thought: will it be for the glory of God? It is for this that our Saviour lives and pleads (Joh_14:13).
• It must be in Christ's Name, which stands for Nature. In other words, when we pray it must not be as our self-nature but as the Christ-nature indicates. It is not enough to mention His Name at the end of our prayer: 
• His Spirit must pervade every petition.
• We must bear fruit (Joh_15:16). Answers to prayer largely depend on our ministry to others. If we are living for the accomplishment of God's purpose and the coming of His Kingdom, we may ask whatever is necessary for the achievement of our endeavor.
• We must abide in Christ; then the sap of the Holy Spirit rising from the hidden root will produce desires and petitions like those which Christ ever presents to His Father (Joh_15:7).

PRAYER
All our desire is known unto Thee, 
therefore perfect what Thou hast begun, 
and what Thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. 
We seek Thy face, show us Thy glory. 
In Jesus's Holy Name, AMEN.


So, live today in God's Grace, for His purpose, for God's Glory, in the Holy Spirit, to bear fruit for God, through Jesus's Love, through the Holy Spirit's infusing.  


Simple enough, but then is Time and Gravity and we still don't understand it.  God bless you with His Grace and Faith.  

Tuesday June 21

Good morning,
How are you on this fine day?  I hope you are well in all ways.  I hope you are at peace with God and man.  I hope that you have what you wish for and work towards.  I hope you have the life you wanted.


If not, then consider today's meditation by F. B. Meyer:



June 21


PRAYER THAT OBTAINS
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."-- Luk_11:9.


THERE ARE many conditions of true prayer. For instance, it must be earnest. There are times when we know we are on the line of God's purposes, when we may dare to be importunate. 
Prayer must be offered in the Name of Christ, i.e., it must be in harmony with the nature of Christ, which was devoted to the glory of God and to the blessing of men. 
That Name will eliminate the ingredient of selfishness which will mar any prayer by whomsoever offered. 
Prayer must also be based on some promise of God, which is presented to Him as a cheque or note is presented to a bank.
All these are but steps to the faith that obtains, for it is, after all, not prayer but faith that obtains promises. That is why our Lord lays so much stress on receiving. Much of our prayer fails because we forget that He said, "Every one that asketh, receiveth"; and again, "All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye have received them, and ye shall have them" (Mar_11:24).
So far as one can describe the process, it seems something after this fashion. 

• The soul reverently kneels before God, 
• glorifying and praising Him for His greatness and goodness. 
• It is conscious of needing some very special gift which is promised. 
• In the Name of Christ it presents the request with the confidence of a child. 
• With earnestness of desire and speech it unfolds the reasons why the gift sought is so necessary. 
• But it does not leave prayer at this point to go away in uncertainty as to what the issue shall be. 
• By an act of the spirit, the suppliant seems to receive definitely the spiritual or even the temporal gift; 
• and realizes that it has received, that the special grace has been imparted, to be discovered and used under stress of need; 
• that the temporal gift has also been received, though it may be kept back until the precise moment when it can be delivered, in much the same way as a present may be purchased long before the time of handing it to its destined possessor (1Sa_1:15, 1Sa_1:18, 1Sa_1:27).

This is what Christ meant by "receiving," and it has a mighty effect upon prayer, because it makes it so much more definite. It leads to praise, because we are able to thank God for His gift. You must take as well as pray.


PRAYER
We rejoice that our Saviour ever lives to intercede as our High Priest and Mediator. Through the rent veil, let our prayers ascend to Thee mingled with the fragrance of His merit in whom Thou art ever well pleased. AMEN.

So today, if you are not at peace with God, kneel, pray to God through Christ's intercession, and ask!

Monday June 20

Good morning,
How are things going for you?  Would it be wonderful if EVERYTHING could be as you would want?  
No bills, no hassles, no pressures, no demands, no traffic jams, no anger, nothing to disturb your joy and happiness, nothing to cause you concern and burden your soul.... wouldn't that be, what, HEAVEN?  
Well, you and I are going there one day soon.  
So, I often wonder when people say they are afraid of death!  It is the relief from all the cares and troubles of this world.  I believe that it is the great metamorphosis of our stupid "caterpillar" bodies into the beautiful being that God intended us to be.  
Heaven!  Pure Joy, Happiness, contentment, peace, love, all good things all the time!  
But for now, we have to put up with the troubles of this world and give our thoughts to all of its demands.  We do have a better way here though, with God's Love and Blessings.  Consider today's meditation by F.B. Meyer:

June 20


THE ROCK OF AGES
"Trust ye--the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is an everlasting rock."-- Isa_26:4 (R.V.).


THE LOVE of God, like a cleft rock, is the age-long shelter of His people, land rears itself above the tumultuous waters of time. The lightning that flashed from the thunder-clouds of Calvary has riven it. A cleft was made in it by the spear that pierced the heart of our Lord, and this was followed, as it was withdrawn from the gaping wound, by blood and water. But there sinful souls may hide! 


God had said to Moses: "Behold, there is a place by Me, and it shall come to pass that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by, for thou canst not see My face, and live." So he speaks to us all, and promises that the water and the blood shall be the double cure from the wrath and power of sin.
It is free. The sinner need not seek to acquire the shelter of that Rock of Ages by the labour of his hands, or the fulfilling of the demands of the law. It is not required that he should burn with a zeal that knows no respite, or flow with tears that refuse to be staunched. To be helpless and forlorn, to be in peril of condemnation, to be contrite and humble---this is all that is required. To have no Mediator, no Refuge, no Helper beside, and to lift the eyes of faith to the Saviour--that is the sole condition of being lifted by unseen hands into the cleft of that Rock.
It holds all that the soul needs. Is the soul naked? There is dress for it. Is it helpless? There is grace for it. Is it blackened by sin? There is cleansing for it. Is it sick? there is healing for it. Toplady, the Calvinist, and Wesley, the Arminian, agree here: "Thou, O Christ, art all I want; more than all in Thee I find."
It is for ever. It is the Rock of Ages! Time may beat upon it, but it cannot alter it or impair it. Whilst this fleeting breath is drawn, when eyes close in death, when unknown worlds are entered, when the judgment throne is set, always and for ever the soul may shelter in the cleft Rock of the unchanging Redeemer, and Peace, like a double window, intercepts alarm from the heart which is stayed on God and trusting in Him.


PRAYER
Rock of Ages! cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in Thee. 
Let the water and the blood, 
From Thy riven side which flowed, 
Be of sin the double cure, 
Save me from its guilt and power. 
AMEN.

God bless and keep you and yours today with His Love and Blessings.

Sunday June 19 Fathers' Day

And so it is here, Father's Day! 
A day of thankfulness for my beautiful, wonderful children.  A day to review and renew my devotion to them.  A day of love and gratitude to God, my Heavenly Father for all His blessings, Grace, Salvation, Love, and above all for His Adoption of an undeserving, unworthy soul like me into His Heavenly family.
Thank you God, my Heavenly Father for all things.  


Today's meditation from Bob Hoekstra deals with God's second greatest gift - the First, of course, is Jesus.  The second is the Holy Spirit.



June 19


Better Promises under Grace
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.  (Heb_8:6)
In every way, the new covenant of grace is a better covenant than the old covenant of law. "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant." Some of the better aspects of living under grace includes: a better High Priest to minister to us, a better sacrifice for sins, a greater intimacy with God, and spiritual substance instead of mere shadows. Another better aspect of grace is that it "was established on better promises." To this excellent reality, we will now give continuing attention over many days.  
Under the old covenant of law, a basic promise is stated repeatedly. It is present in the first giving of the law, when the children of Israel were delivered from bondage in Egypt. "You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them" (Lev_18:5). It was present when the law was given again to Israel, as they were preparing to enter the promised land. "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth" (Deu_28:1). At this time, a corollary promise of warning was made. "But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you" (Deu_28:15).  
The basic promises of the law can be summarized as "do this, and you will live." The promises under the law are contingent upon the performance of man. If man is able to keep the law, the promises of life and blessing will be fulfilled. Ultimately, the children of Israel demonstrated the inability of man to perform up to the standards of God's holy law. "Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, and were not careful to observe My judgments, 'which, if a man does, he shall live by them' " (Eze_20:21).  


The promises under grace are immeasurably better than those under law, because they do not depend upon man's performance. "I will make a new covenant . . . I will put My law in their minds . . . I will be their God . . . I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" (Jer_31:31-34). 


Dear Lord, I rejoice over the new covenant of grace. How wonderful it is to live under promises that do not depend upon my ability to perform. 
Lord, I put my trust in You to fulfill Your promises in my life. Through Christ I pray, Amen.


Truly, on this day, I thank you Heavenly Father for all Your Love, Grace, Salvation, Your Blessings, guidance, and protection.  I pray that you will be with my children, my beloved, my friends and all the children who have no families or are suffering.  
I pray that Your Will be manifested in my life.  Amen

Saturday June 18

Saturday, my favorite day in many ways.  What's yours?
A day to rest, the original Sabbath, a day of reflection and thinking, of doing and catching up... a day of Freedom.


All this because God made everything, and Jesus brings it all to us in His Glory.  Are you a Christian?  A follower of Christ?  Praise God and Thank Him for His Grace.  


Today's mediation from James Ryle deals with being a true follower of Christ:



June 18


Climbing Companions
"When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught His climbing companions." (Matthew 5:1,2, The Message)
Crowds always collect around events and individuals that are curious or exciting. Jesus was all that and more, and so naturally His ministry drew large crowds. But He knew that crowds are fickle. So when He saw His ministry attracting large crowds — He climbed a hillside. This was a decisive movement upward; an intentional maneuver sure to root out those who were only looking for the easy way, the free ride. And as the Lord expected, the crowd dispersed. You see, crowds don't climb hillsides.
What happened next is what the Lord was after all along. Those who were apprenticed to Him — the committed — climbed with Him. Are you committed? When the crowds fade away, and following Jesus is no longer the popular thing to do, or the easy thing to do — will you be one of His climbing companions? If you will, He'll take you to the summit!
The scripture tells us that we are "partakers of a heavenly calling" (Heb.3:1). Elsewhere it is refered to as "the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil.3:14). 
It is the call of God upon our lives that makes mediocrity unacceptable. The word mediocrity literally means "halfway up a mountain.”
Are you going to settle for only following Christ halfway? I didn't think so. Rather, don't you want to be known as one of Christ's climbing companions?
The old Hymn says it so well....


I'm pressing on the upward way
New heights I'm gaining every day.
Still praying as I'm upward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay.
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground!
Lord lift me up! And let me stand
By faith on Heaven's stable land!
A higher place that I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.


Have a wonderful day in the Lord!

Friday June 17

Good morning, whoever you are, where ever you are.  In God we are brothers and sisters, in God we are all connected.  


It is a wonder to me why more people don't see the clear and simple logic of Christ, of being a Christian.  Of course, as you dig a bit into the Bible, and read God's Words, it is made clear.  


Vision, clarity, understanding, acceptance, and ultimately Salvation is not up to us on the receiving end, it is up to God on the giving end.  His Grace must be given to you through the Holy Spirit so that your eyes are opened, that you may begin the journey to Christ, Salvation, and the Christian life.  
I Praise God and Thank my God for the vision, for the Grace so that I might see, even vaguely, my Lord and Savior while I am on this earth.  


Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as YOUR Savior?  If not, do so NOW.  Just open your mouth and heart, state that you are a sinner, that you need Jesus's blood and redemption to wash away your sins, that you need Jesus as your Savior... then the Holy Spirit will get it done!  You are Saved!  Now you begin a New Life, a babe in the Spirit.  
So, you must eat and breathe the Word of God.  I strongly recommend that you go to 
www.e-sword.net
and download all the resources.  It is a banquet, a huge buffet of God's Word.  There are many good commentaries and other resources as well.  
Then read the Bible so that you can grow.  Read the commentaries so that the saints can give you insight, the why's and how's!


Now for today's meditation from George Morrison:  (I've truncated today's thoughts but if you want the whole thing, then go the the Daily Devotions and read his whole message.)



Only One Thing Is Needful
The secret of the highest and purest success in life lies in the ability first to choose and then to make effort after those things which are of really greatest worth. 
Of course, together with this choice, there must be a ceasing to strive after things of no intrinsic or permanent value. This is what Jesus meant when He said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Now ability to choose rightly, and also to obtain, implies the possession of all the three qualities of Christ which I have just mentioned, namely, Light, Wisdom, and Power.


These we may obtain from Him; and before we can use them we must obtain them. By means of light we see things as they are; we discern their real nature, we can estimate their relative greatness or smallness. Only in the light, only, that is, in possession of the completest knowledge available, must we choose and select. This selection also implies skill, which is the true meaning of wisdom.


The truly wise man is the man who can both choose and use skillfully. Christ's wisdom is seen in His choices, in His decisions. The proof of His wisdom is seen in the results of these. Christ chooses, and He teaches us to choose those things which are of permanent value and which satisfy the highest parts of our nature. Our want of wisdom is seen in our frequent rejection of these things for objects which give only a very temporary satisfaction, and that only to the lower part of our nature.


But in addition to light or knowledge, in addition also to choice or decision, we need power. We need power to do what we know we ought to do and have chosen to do. Remember St. Paul's words, "The good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."


Light, wisdom, power are three conditions of freedom—of the freedom which, as a possibility, Christ has won for us. To obtain them we must possess Him. He is the One needful; they are the few things needful. 


Possession and use of these will prevent that worry which wears out life, that distraction which, in its endless seeking after things of comparatively little value, destroys even its own object. In its constant search after what it considers necessary as means of living it forgets life itself.




So, dear friend, dear brother, dear sister,
May God give you the Light, Knowledge, and Power to live a full, glorious life in service to our Lord and King, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior.  
Praise God for His Grace and Mercies!

Thursday June 16

How's your life today?  
I hope you have joy and effervescence flowing from you.  I hope all things look possible to you.  Yet, many of us are not there yet.  


Today's meditation is from Charles Spurgeon.  Read what he states about our daily condition:



June 16


Morning
“And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”
- Joh_10:28
The Christian should never think or speak lightly of unbelief. For a child of God to mistrust his love, his truth, his faithfulness, must be greatly displeasing to him. How can we ever grieve him by doubting his upholding grace? Christian! it is contrary to every promise of God’s precious Word that thou shouldst ever be forgotten or left to perish. If it could be so, how could he be true who has said, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I never forget thee.” What were the value of that promise-”The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” 
Where were the truth of Christ’s words-”I give unto my sheep eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” 
Where were the doctrines of grace? They would be all disproved if one child of God should perish. Where were the veracity of God, his honour, his power, his grace, his covenant, his oath, if any of those for whom Christ has died, and who have put their trust in him, should nevertheless be cast away? 
Banish those unbelieving fears which so dishonour God. Arise, shake thyself from the dust, and put on thy beautiful garments. Remember it is sinful to doubt his Word wherein he has promised thee that thou shalt never perish. Let the eternal life within thee express itself in confident rejoicing.
“The gospel bears my spirit up:
A faithful and unchanging God
Lays the foundation for my hope,
In oaths, and promises, and blood.”




Evening
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
- Psa_27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation.” Here is personal interest, “my light,” “my salvation;” the soul is assured of it, and therefore declares it boldly. Into the soul at the new birth divine light is poured as the precursor of salvation; where there is not enough light to reveal our own darkness and to make us long for the Lord Jesus, there is no evidence of salvation. 
After conversion our God is our joy, comfort, guide, teacher, and in every sense our light: he is light within, light around, light reflected from us, and light to be revealed to us. 
Note, it is not said merely that the Lord gives light, but that he is light; nor that he gives salvation, but that he is salvation; he, then, who by faith has laid hold upon God, has all covenant blessings in his possession. 
This being made sure as a fact, the argument drawn from it is put in the form of a question, “Whom shall I fear?” A question which is its own answer. The powers of darkness are not to be feared, for the Lord, our light, destroys them; and the damnation of hell is not to be dreaded by us, for the Lord is our salvation. 
This is a very different challenge from that of boastful Goliath, for it rests, not upon the conceited vigour of an arm of flesh, but upon the real power of the omnipotent I AM. 
“The Lord is the strength of my life.” Here is a third glowing epithet, to show that the writer’s hope was fastened with a threefold cord which could not be broken. We may well accumulate terms of praise where the Lord lavishes deeds of grace. Our life derives all its strength from God; and if he deigns to make us strong, we cannot be weakened by all the machinations of the adversary. “Of whom shall I be afraid?” The bold question looks into the future as well as the present. “If God be for us,” who can be against us, either now or in time to come?

Have a blessed day in the Lord.  May His love fill your life.

Wednesday June 15

Half way through June. Time is unstoppable.  It moves on no matter what man or nature does.  It is the great equalizer, it is the one thing all of nature shares.  Time is the metronome that keeps all things synchronized and working together.  
How are you using your time? 


But soon, all time stops and ETERNITY takes over, endless, forever, eternal, everlasting, with out end... and God will be there with you IF you are one of Christ's own, a Christian, saved from your old self and made new through the blood sacrifice of our Lord Jesus.  


How? James Ryle puts the whole path into understandable words, here's how he puts it:


Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 1)
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
In the earliest days of my journey with Jesus a godly man came alongside me and taught me a truth with such unrelenting resolve that it has stayed with me to this very day. Indeed, not simply stayed with with — it has powerfully swayed me from turning the wrong way on many, many occasions and kept my feet from stumbling. Yes, there have been times when I ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit, and tumbled in a ditch — but even then, it was this truth that factored in my recovery. 
I want to pass this truth along to you.
Paul uses four key words in his masterful argument against sin, and for righteousness; and these four words give us the bullet points of a prevailing life. Know, reckon, yield, and obey. 
Let's look briefly at these over the following four days.


First, there is something we are to KNOW — "our old man was crucified with Christ" (Romans 6:6). 
The Messages puts it this way — "Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the Cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life — no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection."
Pass by any cemetery and you will see just what the Lord has done for you on the Cross. He brought you into His own death, and thereby rendered sin's power over you as ineffective as it is upon those buried there in the ground. Your enslavement to sin's power has ended, and through Christ's resurrection you now have been raised to a new way of living — free from always having to do what sin demanded.
You will never be able to walk victorious in faith without KNOWING this truth. This may be the primary reason why Satan is so set against the preaching of the Cross, and why so many churches have veered far off course in this happy-go-lucky-day of sentimental sensationalism in song and sermon.
Take your place in humble adoration at the foot of the cross my fellow pilgrim, and rise not from that place till you KNOW that all which is within you that once lived unto sin has been executed in your Savior's death.
"When I survey the wondrous cross, 
on which the Prince of glory died; 
my richest gain I count but loss, 
and pour contempt on all my pride. 
Forbid it Lord that I should boast, 
save in the cross of Christ my God. 
All the vain things that charm me most, 
I sacrifice them to His blood. 
Were the whole realm of nature mine, 
that were a present far too small! 
Love so amazing, so divine, 
demands my soul, my life, my all." (Isaac Watts 1748)


Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 2)
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV) 


Yesterday we focused on the first of four key words used by the Apostle Paul in his classic case for the Cross presented in the sixth chapter of the Book of Romans. Today, we want to look at the second word: RECKON.
More modern translations use words like count, consider, think, or regard. All share the same essential meaning — "to take into account." In other words, this is the conclusion you are to carry in your heart once you KNOW that your were indeed crucified with Christ: "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus!"
Go ahead and give it a try — say it out loud just now as you read this. "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus."


Now, later on in the day when temptation comes creeping round the corner and suddly backs you against the wall — pause, take a deep breath, and then speak the truth of these words in the face of Hell's assault. You will stand, and the enemy will flee! Remember the Sienfeld episode where Jerry's dad kept yelling, "Serenity Now!" That didn't seem to work too well for him, and it won't work for you either. But THIS does work — "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus." Truth works!
Here is how The Message summarizes it — "From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. (Romans 6:11-14).
Because Jesus did it, you and I can now do it! He conquered sin and death, and ended their supremacy over our lives. We can now walk in freedom — and will do so only as we COUNT on it; reckoning ourselves dead indeed to sin, but alive to God!
"In the cross of Christ I glory, 
towering o'er the wrecks of time; 
all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime! When the woes of life o'ertake me, 
hopes deceive and fears annoy; 
never shall the cross forsake me — 
Lo! it glows with peace and joy. 
Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, 
by the cross are sanctified; 
peace is there that knows no measure, 
joys that through all time abide." 
(John Bowering, 1872)
I reckon so.

Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 3)

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
The power of the Cross unfolds daily in our lives as we first KNOW that our old man was crucified with Christ, and then RECKON ourselves to be indeed dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The next thing that follows is the most sensible step possible — we are to YIELD ourselves to God as though who are alive from the dead.
Paul writes, "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:13).
The word he uses means "to stand beside so as to present oneself for service." It is our way of saying, "Here I am; use me." The point being that this is what we once did when sin was our master. But now Jesus is Lord, and we are to yield ourselves to Him, to be used for His purpose each day.
The Message says, "That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time into God's way of doing things. Remember, you've been raised from the dead! Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God." (Romans 6:12-14)


"Jesus keep me near the cross, 

free to all,

a healing stream flows from Calvary's mountain. 

Near the cross, there a precious fountain; 

a trembling soul, love and mercy found me; 
there the Bright and morning Star 
shed His beams around me. 
Near the cross, O Lamb of God! 
Bring its scenes before me; 
help me walk from day to day 
with its shadow o'er me. 
In the cross, in the cross be my glory ever; 
till my raptured soul shall find 
rest beyond the river!" 
(Fanny J. Crosby, 1915)

June 15

Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 4)

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)

We now come to the fourth and final word in our survey of the wondrous cross. The word is OBEY. Paul says, "God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you" (Romans 6:17).

The natural sequence of these four word are beautiful in their symmetry, and powerful in their simplicity. The life-transforming work of the Cross unfolds daily in our lives as we first KNOW that our old man was crucified with Christ, and then RECKON ourselves to be indeed dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The next thing that follows is the most sensible step possible — we are to YIELD ourselves to God as though who are alive from the dead. Once yielded, it only remains for us to faithfully OBEY the Lord, and do His bidding.

The word means "to listen to something with attentive stillness, so as to conform unto what is being said." The Message says, "But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom! (Romans 6:17-18)

This gives us a rich image of how the Lord shapes our lives to be more and more like Himself. It is as though the Word of God is a mold, into which our surrendered lives are poured in a yielded softness. Then, with the passing of time, we harden to the shape of the mold, and once the Lord removes it we then discover that He has used His word to remake us into what we always wanted to be! That's what happens when we OBEY!

"Holy Spirit, breath on me, 

until my heart is clean; 

let sunshine fill its inmost part, 

without a cloud between. 

Holy Spirit, breath on me,

 my stubborn will subdue; 

teach me in words of living flame 

what Christ would have me do. 

Holy Spirit, breath on me

 till I am all Thine own; 

until my will is lost in Thine, 

to live for Thee alone! (B. B. McKinney, 1886)

KNOW, RECKON, YIELD, and OBEY. There you have the four points of a prevailing life. May I encourage you to put this truth to the test? If so, then you will find that Truth Works!

I pray that all will Know our Lord Jesus, that they will Reckon their new state of existence as Redeemed saints, Yield their whole being and soul to God and Obey the Will of God.  

I pray for you and me that we will be the True Children of God.

Monday June 13

Life, this existence, this processing of energy and carrying out of the seven life functions, life is both a verb and a noun.  Life is what we have for a short time.  Life is the precious thing some so hold on to so dearly.  
How is your life?
James Ryle gives us a good way to look at our lives:
(I am going to combine two days worth of thoughts so it's easier to continue in thinking:)


Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 1)
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
In the earliest days of my journey with Jesus a godly man came alongside me and taught me a truth with such unrelenting resolve that it has stayed with me to this very day. Indeed, not simply stayed with with — it has powerfully swayed me from turning the wrong way on many, many occasions and kept my feet from stumbling. Yes, there have been times when I ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit, and tumbled in a ditch — but even then, it was this truth that factored in my recovery. I want to pass this truth along to you.
Paul uses four key words in his masterful argument against sin, and for righteousness; and these four words give us the bullet points of a prevailing life. 
Know, reckon, yield, and obey. Let's look briefly at these over the following four days.
First, there is something we are to KNOW — "our old man was crucified with Christ" (Romans 6:6).
The Messages puts it this way — "Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the Cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life — no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection."
Pass by any cemetery and you will see just what the Lord has done for you on the Cross. He brought you into His own death, and thereby rendered sin's power over you as ineffective as it is upon those buried there in the ground. Your enslavement to sin's power has ended, and through Christ's resurrection you now have been raised to a new way of living — free from always having to do what sin demanded.
You will never be able to walk victorious in faith without KNOWING this truth. This may be the primary reason why Satan is so set against the preaching of the Cross, and why so many churches have veered far off course in this happy-go-lucky-day of sentimental sensationalism in song and sermon.
Take your place in humble adoration at the foot of the cross my fellow pilgrim, and rise not from that place till you KNOW that all which is within you that once lived unto sin has been executed in your Savior's death.
"When I survey the wondrous cross, 
on which the Prince of glory died; 
my richest gain I count but loss, 
and pour contempt on all my pride. 
Forbid it Lord that I should boast, 
save in the cross of Christ my God. 
All the vain things that charm me most, 
I sacrifice them to His blood. 
Were the whole realm of nature mine, 
that were a present far too small! 
Love so amazing, so divine, 
demands my soul, my life, my all." 
(Isaac Watts 1748)

and the second illumination:

Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 2)

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV) 

Yesterday we focused on the first of four key words used by the Apostle Paul in his classic case for the Cross presented in the sixth chapter of the Book of Romans. Today, we want to look at the second word: RECKON.

More modern translations use words like count, consider, think, or regard. All share the same essential meaning — "to take into account." In other words, this is the conclusion you are to carry in your heart once you KNOW that your were indeed crucified with Christ: "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus!"

Go ahead and give it a try — say it out loud just now as you read this. 

"I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus."

Now, later on in the day when temptation comes creeping round the corner and suddly backs you against the wall — pause, take a deep breath, and then speak the truth of these words in the face of Hell's assault. You will stand, and the enemy will flee! Remember the Sienfeld episode where Jerry's dad kept yelling, "Serenity Now!" That didn't seem to work too well for him, and it won't work for you either. But THIS does work — "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus." Truth works!

Here is how The Message summarizes it — "From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. (Romans 6:11-14).

Because Jesus did it, you and I can now do it! He conquered sin and death, and ended their supremacy over our lives. We can now walk in freedom — and will do so only as we COUNT on it; reckoning ourselves dead indeed to sin, but alive to God!

"In the cross of Christ I glory, 

towering o'er the wrecks of time; 

all the light of sacred story 

gathers round its head sublime! 

When the woes of life o'ertake me, 

hopes deceive and fears annoy; 

never shall the cross forsake me — 

Lo! it glows with peace and joy. 

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,

 by the cross are sanctified; 

peace is there that knows no measure, 

joys that through all time abide." 

(John Bowering, 1872)

I reckon so. Do you?