Happy Thanksgiving

• Enjoy your relationships with family and friends. But most of all, enjoy your relationship with God. Take time today to communicate with Him. Don't just talkTO Him; have a conversation WITH Him.

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Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful. (Psa 118:1 CEV)

How do you feel about this?

• Some people read Scripture and see history that is not relevant to today. I read it and see the same feelings, frustrations, and challenges we face today. But then, I am an "application" teacher.
  
  Times are different. Technology is different. But the human nature is as it has always been. Today's Scripture sounds as current as the evening news... to me.
  
  How do you feel about that?

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Even Michael, the chief angel, didn't dare to insult the devil, when the two of them were arguing about the body of Moses. All Michael said was, "The Lord will punish you!" But these people insult powers they don't know anything about. They are like senseless animals that end up getting destroyed, because they live only by their feelings. These people grumble and complain and live by their own selfish desires. They brag about themselves and flatter others to get what they want. (Jud 1:9-10,16 CEV)

Lord help me when I get Angry.

• We cannot make decisions for others. It can hurt to see people make destructive choices--especially when their choices affect innocent people we love. You know the feeling: we want to "do" something.
  
  Especially then, we must pray, trust God, and keep on doing what is right. Seldom is it easy. But it is always right.

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For some godless people have slipped in unnoticed among us, persons who distort the message about the grace of our God in order to excuse their immoral ways, and who reject Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. Long ago the Scriptures predicted the condemnation they have received. (Jud 1:4 GNB)

Contend for the Faith

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Dear friends, although I was eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write to you and urge you to continue your vigorous defense of the faith that was passed down to the saints once and for all. (Jud 1:3 ISV)

Prayer: LORD, sometimes I cannot do what I want for having to do what is necessary or what circumstances demand. When I find myself in this conflict, help me trust that regardless of what I feel or think, to the degree I give You authority in my life, You can order my steps and have me where I need to be, when I need to be there, doing what I need to do. Wisdom is to surrender what I want to Your purpose and trust You to work it out. Help me make it so. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The World Hates You

Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world--wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important--has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out--but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. (1 John 2:15-17 MSG)

Prayer: LORD, I choose to love You and Your way of life, rather than the world's way of living. That way and its systems will come to an end, but the life You give me is forever. Thank You for making it possible for me to have hope of eternal life with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Excuses, Excuses!

Some times we expect God to believe our excuses.

After that, he turned to Aaron. "What did the people do to you?" he demanded. "How did they ever make you bring such terrible sin upon them?" "Don't get upset, sir," Aaron replied. "You yourself know these people and what a wicked bunch they are. They said to me, 'Make us some gods to lead us, for something has happened to this man Moses, who led us out of Egypt.' So I told them, 'Bring me your gold earrings.' When they brought them to me, I threw them into the fire--and out came this calf!" (Exo 32:21-24 NLT)

Prayer: LORD, when I make mistakes or intentionally go against what You have said, help me have the integrity and courage to admit it without making excuses; You already know the truth anyway. Thank You for the confidence that I can be truthful with You because of Your promise that You will not reject me or condemn me when I confess sin to You. I am grateful for the assurance that You are always ready to forgive me and receive me back in fellowship with You. Then , help me forgive myself and move on to grow deeper in our relationship. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Rebellion

If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don't let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he'll think twice. But don't treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares. (2 Th3:14-15 MSG)

Prayer: LORD, when someone fails, others are quick to judge and treat them as a traitor or an enemy. I want to be patient and understanding with them just as You have been with me when I failed You. They need to be taught the truth as well as to know that they will be accepted when they repent. I know I cannot condone their sin, but I want to be available to help them. Show me what I can do to help, teach, and encourage them in whatever way is best in Your sight. In Jesus' name, Amen.