Monday's Blessing
John 14:6

"Jesus answered, " I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."

In the Bible there is a powerful scene in the Upper Room where Jesus speaks these profound words to his disciples.  Throughout antiquity there have been many noted religious leaders and philosophers who have said, "This is the way."  Only Jesus said, "I AM the way."  Make no bones about it, in order to get to the Father you must first travel the path of Christ.

At this time Jesus was lying the foundation for his demise.  He was telling his closest friends that he will be going away soon.  They thought they knew which way he was speaking of, but they actually had no clue as to what was going to happen soon.  I guess they thought that he would be air lifted delicately and placed near the Father.  Only Thomas was honest enough to question him.  It was to his response that Jesus directed his words.

Jesus is the way.  In an ultimate sense, he was speaking about going to the Father.  In order to get there it is NOT what you do; but that you understand the only venue is through him.

Jesus is the truth.  Truth doesn't mean you harbor accurate information.  Jesus embodied the truth.  He spoke the truth. He lived the truth.  He is the truth.  Hence, when we read about him in the Bible we learn from the greatest mentor.

Jesus is the life.  As Jesus told Nicodemus, everyone needs to be born of the Spirit. Jesus gave his life so that we could have life.  Spiritual life is founded through him. The apostle John would later write, "He who has the Son has life." (1 John 5:12).

When we open our lives and ensure he is there each day, we find that we will automatically possess the way, the truth, and the life. 

Dear Jesus,
I believe in you.  I believe you are the way,
the truth, and the life.  I open my life to you. 
Come live in me. Amen

Monday's Blessing
Exodus 20:2-3

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."

There are so many great stories about Moses in the Bible.  His inspiration to his people is downright amazing. There were over 600,000 men, women, and children on foot over the Exodus.  Trying to keep that many people fed, comforted, and full of faith was a miracle in itself.  Out of all the messages that came from above to Moses, this was the most spectacular.

As the newly freed Israelites camped at the foot of Mt. Sinai, Moses climbed the mountain where he first encountered God.  During his first encounter, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and gave him the commission to return to Egypt and lead the Exodus.   In this encounter, God gave Moses a moral compass to guide the Israelites as his special nation.  That moral compass was the Ten Commandments.

The first commandment stipulates the overriding dynamic by which man and God are to relate to one another.  If we want to have a loving relationship with God, we need to let God be God.  It's that simple.  Not what we want, but what God wants.

"You shall have no other gods before me" is not suggesting we become Satanists or worship other gods of the moon and wheat fields.  What God is saying is that we must put down worries about other things in our lives that may become more important than God. If it affects our relationship with Him then it is another "god".  When this relationship is affected we don't feel the multitude of God's blessings.

Every now and then it is important to stop and ask the question, "What am I obsessed with?  What do I desperately need?"  If the answer is anything other than God, then you need to readjust your compass and get it pointed to heaven.  Haven't you ever noticed as you whine for things in life you become depressed and obsessed?  This takes away from our solid relationship with God and ensures these "wanted" items become the prime focus each day.  When this happens you get a chance to get right again.  A chance to bring him back to the center of your life.

Dear God,
Thank you today for just being God.
I want you to be the most important person in my life.
Show me when something takes your place
so that I may get back on track again and
in a solid relationship with you.  
Help me to experience your love each waking moment.

Monday's Blessing
1 Samuel 7:12

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen.  He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the Lord helped us."

Songs are an important component that can make an enormous difference in a way a person feels.  Even if you are primarily not a vocalist, there are other qualities that are essential for success: having enthusiasm for singing; being able to establish a good rapport with others singing; being comfortable with your own voice (no matter what your vocals), and being uplifted as your spirit soars.   That's it!  Your voice will blend in with the multitude of others and the Holy Spirit will touch you.

The above verse is from an incident in the prophet Samuel's life when he was a younger man and had just seen the hand of God defeat the perennial enemy of Israel, the Philistines. To honor God, Samuel set up a stone monument at the place of the victory.  He called that stone, "Ebenezer."  If you are a patron of church, or have been in the past, you might have sung the line from "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" that says, "Here I raise my Ebenezer."  Most people sing these words never realizing what the words mean.

Ebenezer means "stone of help".  Samuel had gathered the people of Israel at the city of Mizpah, about four miles northwest of Jerusalem.  The Philistines heard about the meeting and marched on Samuel and the Israelites.  Samuel cried out to the Lord for help, and God so confused the Philistines so blatantly that the Israelites won the battle.

Got wants to be our Ebenezer, our "stone of help."  When we are in the right relationship with Christ he is our source of strength.  Jesus called the Holy Spirit "the Helper".  And this Holiest of Helpers touches us most when we are filled with the Spirit.  What else can fill us with such joy and peace than those blessed church hymns?!  Play them often, in fact, grab a CD to pop in throughout the week to tame that tiger in you and soothe your soul!

Monday's Blessing
Matthew 28:5-6
 
"The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay."

The Resurrection of Christ is the single most important event in the history of Christianity. From the moment Jesus stepped foot on this earth, everything he claimed about himself and his father was a test of the human spirit.  He foretold he would accomplish the unthinkable on the cross, and he would rise again on the third day.

Today's verses were spoken to two woman.  Mary Magdalene and another unnamed woman were the first who came upon the tomb.  It was the first Easter morning as they arrived to pay homage.  When they first got there the Roman soldier that was assigned to watch over the burial place was gone.  The stone that sealed the tomb had been rolled away. Sitting on the stone was an angel, whose soul appearance had frightened away some of the King's best men.  Now this same angel terrified the two woman.  The angel spoke calmly claiming the sacred message that will reign throughout history, "He has risen!"  Jesus had conquered death!

The woman had to go inside the tomb to see for themselves.  After all, who could believe such a statement?  Where the body had lain, now only empty last rite clothes remained. The tomb was not rolled away for Jesus' exit, but rather to let his disciples in to see the glory of God!  Jesus had completed exactly what he proclaimed.

Jesus is alive and lives in each of us!  He can be part of our lives forever.  We can be forgiven and we can forgive those who have caused us penance.  Now is the time for spiritual renewal.  Open your heart today and be closest with those you love.  For on this earth what is it that truly matters?  Those closest to our hearts!  Put all chores down today, smile, and enjoy those you love - your family.

Father, thank you for the gift of Christ
Thank you for allowing him to cleanse my sins.
Lord Jesus, you are alive!
Live in me today and remind me to love always
those that surround me.  Amen.

Monday's Blessing
John 10:10-11
 
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

I fell in love with Jesus when I was quite young. I was only nine years old at the time my father passed away. It was one of the most influential tragedies of my life. He was a young man, barely 40 dying of a cerebral brain hemorrhage. I was walking home from piano lessons that day, and as I turned the handle of my back door, I peeked through the window and noticed my father was lying faced down on the kitchen table. What ensued was a whirlwind of terrified phone calls and a patty wagon to pick him up since there were no ambulances available that day. Later that evening, as my Uncle Johnny came home with my mother, his desperate red eyes permeated my brain while he listened to his sister-in-law gently tell four children their father would not be coming home.

I felt as if the bright lights of life were just turned off.  My childhood experiences of day adventures and winter trips to Florida had just died off.  My mother was alone, confused, and frayed wondering what to do with this family of youngsters now totally dependent on her.

I felt her loneliness and emptiness and turned myself over to Jesus.  There, at that moment, I believe he found me, wrapped me in his arms and shed a warm's summer day light into my darkened life.  In the sadness and quietness of those days I felt his presence always.  I'd walk to out to our postage stamp size yard and sit perched like bird staring at the sky.  Rays would reach out warming my face as I began to feel his words form in my heart and mind.  Those words would guide me through other traumatizing situations and always keep me at peace in a life that was swirling.  He was the Good Shepherd back then keeping me with his flock.  He is still my Shepherd today as I know whenever I reach out to him he is always there.  I can still feel him now as I did on those first few moments as a child.

It's so important to remind yourself of God's glorious love.  God loves you today.  He wants you to know and experience his Good Shepherd.  He does not want you to be alone and has come to give you a good life in abundance.  Find your heart meshed with Jesus.  It has always been there, you just need to sit quietly and let it envelope you.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being
my Good Shepherd.  Thank you for
giving me a more abundant life in your
presence. I pray that I experience you
today and everyday close to my heart.
Amen. 

Monday's Blessing
Psalm 46:10
 
"Be still and know that I am God."

We all need regular quiet times in our lives.  This world can be such a busy place so busy it is often hard to turn inwards and find our true selves united with God.  With TV, computers, tablets, and mobile phones how can we actually hear God's voice when we need him?  Therefore, today's verse is exceptionally difficult.  Be still.  That means find some quiet space, yes- a quiet space so that you can open up to the voice of God.

For most of us taking daily time to wait, listen, and feel leaves us without that feeling of an inner presence that links us to his divine nature.  Sadly, God's voice does not come as a burning bush experience as Moses.  And, at times we all yearn that it does, especially when we are hurting.

Yet, if we really have the ears to hear and the eyes to see, God's voice can be very strong.  If you commit yourself to daily quiet times of prayer, you will learn to know and hear his voice often.  No, it may not come as a booming form as the movies depict, but may be booming in itself as it prepares to move you in the direction that is mapped for you.  We've all felt that inner prompt to do something when we least expect it.  This is God's voice pushing us to MOVE!  Wouldn't it be wonderful to hear it more often?

Practice is important because when we are still, we know that God is God.  That in itself requires extreme trust in someone.  We learn to enhance this trust each time we quiet ourselves through personal prayer.    So how do we do this?  Put down all those electronic devices that make our lives so simple (or full?) and learn to go inward more often seeking daily advice.  We are all butterflies seeking to morph into the perfect existence, yet we must also realize, that just as the butterfly breaks free of his cocoon that enables him to spread his wings and fly, so must we go through unique experiences to hasten our developments.

Try this prayer now in perfect stillness:

Dear God,
Help me to take time to be alone with you throughout the day in quiet spaces.  Teach me to hear your voice when you speak.  Help to seek the many ways you speak to me through the Bible, and the Spirit.  I know you have created within me the capacity to hear your voice.  Help me to be still so that I may hear this voice in my heart.  Guide me to trust in you only, Amen.
 

Monday's Blessing
 John 20:30-31

 
     "No Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book.  But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name."

There is a bit of high drama at the end of John's Gospel.  It is as though a grand play is being performed and there is an audience watching each player's move.  Jesus is the main character, and he is interacting with all the major actors in his era.  There is Nicodemus, Martha and Mary, Lazarus, and others who felt first hand his healing powers.  In fact, there are so many daily interactions that John seems to be saying there isn't enough room in this book to mention everyone Jesus' touched.

Then, amazingly, at the end of this play, when Jesus is talking directly to Thomas, imagine the lights go on, and Jesus talks directly to YOU.  His words resound in your ears as he speaks:

"Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

For he knows the troubles each of us face not being able to be by his side as others have.  Not being able to hear his voice in comfort during trials and tribulations.  He knows we must rely on ultimate faith to feed our Christianity.  And because of this, he promises blessings in our lives for doing so.

But, if that wasn't dramatic enough, imagine he walks off that stage and says to you:

"These are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name."

This passage breathes clarity.  It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or how you struggle each day.  God is here for you, each day, every day, no matter what your needs are.  For he has made it so that you have life in his name.  Not just any life, not just a life to hang onto when the need fits.  But a great life.

"I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me." (Jn. 17:23)

Jesus prays here that his disciples will know how much he loves them, and that the whole world will know how much he loves those who follow him.  He speaks to his disciples about going away and reassures them to not be afraid.  He lets them know that the world will always know I am by your side.

In life you have many people pulling for you.  But no one pulls as hard for you as God.  With this knowledge know that -

You can do anything - remember that!
 

Take a Moment in Prayer this Memorial Day, before your annual BBQ, to Pray for those that gave us the right of Freedom of Choice. 

A Prayer for Soldiers
Brave warriors,
should fate find us in battle,
May our cause be  just.
May our leaders have clear vision.
May our courage not falter.
May we be triumphant an earn victory
as we show mercy to our enemies. 
May our efforts bring lasting peace.
May our sacrifice be  always
appreciated by those we serve.
May we return to our loved ones 
unharmed.
Should we be harmed, may our wounds heal.
Should we perish in  the struggle,
may God embrace us and find for us
a place in His Kingdom. 

Psalm 91
 
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the
  shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him 
will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the 
noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou 
trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that 
flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction 
that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but 
it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the 
wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, 
thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy 
dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy 
ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a 
stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon 
shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will
  set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in 
trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Now take a moment to pray for their families: 
 
Prayer for the Families of Our Military

In the Holy Name of Jesus, I lift up  to You, Father, the families of our military. I pray that all will feel Your  love and mercy while they are concerned for their loved ones who are away serving our great nation. May they know abundance, being well provided for and well taken care of until their loved ones return home safely. Give them the 
courage of warriors. May the peace that passes understanding sustain them in 
seasons of separation. Comfort them with Your Word, that they might have faith 
to see their sons, daughters, husbands, and wives returned to them in wholeness 
and safety. Amen.

And lest us not forget the veterns:

For Our Veterans

O Lord, today I thank You for our  veterans, for their willingness to risk all so that our nation might dwell in  peace and safety. May they find the honor and recognition they
truly deserve. I  pray that You will heal the physical, spiritual, and
psychological wounds some  of these veterans have suffered. Bring a lasting
peace to those who mourn the  loss of comrades. Help them to find Your love and
mercy, so that they may cope  with the actions they may have had to take while
they served our country. Make  them realize that the rules of engagement in war
do not always follow the laws  of Christianity, but give them solace by Your
scripture passages that show them  that sometimes battle is necessary for the
common good.  Amen.

And for those Peril:

Prisoners of War

Father, in the Holy Name of Jesus, I  pray for those who have been taken captive in war. Give them courage to  persevere and also the knowledge that they have not been forgotten. May our nation find ways to rescue them safely and quickly, so that their suffering is not prolonged. I pray that they will not be used as pawns to the advantage of our enemies. Enter the hearts of their captors, that they may be merciful. Do 
not let the Evil One control their hearts and minds, tempting them to be cruel and torture their captives. Shine Your Light of Love upon all involved in military prisons. Remind them of Your commandment to love one another, as You love us all. Amen.

 For Those Missing in Action

O my God, may we find more efficient  ways of tracing and identifying those who are missing in action. Let them not be  forgotten. Fill them with the hope of freedom and knowledge that their loved  ones and comrades anxiously await their safe return. I fervently pray that the  truth would come to light quickly so that the living may be
rescued, and the  families of the deceased may find timely closure. For those
whom You have  received into the next life, grant them eternal rest, O Lord. Let
perpetual  Light shine upon them. By Your mercy, may they rest in peace. Amen.

And now may God bless your day as you have just blessed others with The Power of Prayer.

Monday's Blessing
 Proverbs 31:26-27
 
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of
idleness. "

I often wonder, as a young mother so comfortably pushes her newly born infant, where the world would be without such comforting souls?  Most mothers involve themselves in every detail that pertains to the daily rituals of raising a child.  Tears, loss of sleep, are of the many blessings in order when raising your young.  For it is with these dark moments we truly feel unconditional love.  It matters not what these little beings bring or do that will cast us far from our unwavering love of patience and tolerance.  How often to do we 'bite our tongue' and reply to simple nuances, that would drive others mad! Using emphatics with such love and kindness that sheds light on ubiquitous behavior.  To top it off,  we are never idle, instead moving busily from task to task to ensure the days list gets done. 

"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She
opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She
looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” - Proverbs 31:25-30

And so it seems with the blessing of children so do our lives feel complete. There is never an idle moment as the days and hours wisk by demanding various needs to be attended.  We are loved and revered from our home and  often first sought when turmoil arises.  For it is our natural instinct that allows us to foresee problems before they rear, often heading off climatic conclusions before our nest if far too weathered.  It is a job we've taken, with little benefits offered, a switch we are neither able or capable to turn off- and we make it is seem so effortless.

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it
far from him. "Proverbs 22:15

And so, since we are with these little bundles the majority of the day, we are often the main disciplinarians. Although we may spare the rod, not an action goes unnoticed that will prompt a mother's warrant to change undesirable behavior.  It is with love and kindness we mold and shape each unwelcomed behavior in becoming productive, accountable adults. 

"Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. "-2 Kings 4:30

And even as these inviduals reach the age of young adulthood never do we cast them aside no matter what the crime.  A mother's love can be seen prevailing in the worse case scenarios due to a direct connection that begins at birth.  After all, who is thanked first when a child succeeds?  What speeches are poured forth in admiration when one grows old telling the loving guidance of a faithful mother?  Who was at the cross during Christ's journey at the end - his mother.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not
depart from it. "-Proverbs 22:6

And when we are old, where comes the most pleasure in life but from our children?  Watching them grown, tending to their own families, knowing our most greatest effort in life has been truly blessed.  Nothing bears sweeter fruit!

Monday's Blessing
Matthew 11:28 


"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Daily burdens at times can be suffocating. We take on this responsibility, not only for our own issues, but for those we love. We are the sounding board for family members when we're needed most. On these days it's difficult to nurture your inner child, and you may feel resentful and out of touch. Nonetheless, you continue this frustrating juggling act, which leads to depression, fatigue, frustration, and the inability to complete the tasks at hand.

How often do we need to be reminded of Matthew's words? Why do we continue in this circus? This juggling act to test our faith? These are the days to hand everything over to God! "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." God promises to give us peace if we just ask. We were never asked to control individual outcomes in the first place. We are mere stepping stones in attaining God's plan for those he loves. God knows our needs; he is watching over everyone. He has everything under control.

Daily Guidance 

1. Do you think of your daily household chores as a burden or a blessing? Maybe you need an online companion such as: The Fly Lady . This website offers FREE daily emails that will help organize you, and instill the importance of looking at at these chores as a blessing to those you love rather than a daily hardship.

2. Remember, during the worst of times, God sends angels. Today I was on the phone with the IRS. I spent a moment praying for rest, as Matthew stated, before I dialed the phone. On the other end I met an angel. Who would have thought it could happen with the IRS? She was kind, compassionate and added more attention to my request than other agents I've encountered. I was granted an extension, and my soul felt peace! These days solidify that I am not the only angel being called on for times of need! God remembers each of us and will send an angel- all I have to do is ask!

Take an image from Google's Angels . Use it on your desktop or in a folder to remind you to call on God's hand when you need him most!