Calling

The gift and calling of God are irrevocable. That means, if He called you, then you are still called. God has not changed His mind about you. You are it. You are His plan. When you say yes, the power and resources of heaven are released on your behalf. Say yes today. It is not too late. Watch what He will do in response to your faith and obedience. And you will inherit the promises of God!

Dreams

Almost everyone has had a dream. We see the future, or we hope the future holds something bright for us. The amazing thing is, as Joseph testified, much of life was not in the dream, but it still works for good. For every person trying to figure out what happened to their life, it pays to remember whose we are, and who holds our future. Life passes with whole chapters being lived that were never imagined or dreamed about, like the pit or the betrayals. This doesn't mean that our inability to foresee is flawed, it simply means that our lives are often transcended by a greater plan and purpose. The Divine gives us glimpses of the future, but rarely do we see the fulness of His magnificently crafted scheme for the greater good. In the place of faith, we rest in His great plan of salvation to be fulfilled in our lives, and we are closer than when we first believed!

Grace

In part, grace is entering into the place God has prepared for us in Christ. We understand that by grace, our future is prepared and the provision for all we need is set aside for us in anticipation of our arrival. Grace as a prepared place flows out of His benevolent love for us, taking no thought of our worthiness or frail condition. Grace is a way made. Grace is an inheritance waiting. Grace is a gift that measures us not and judges us not. Thank God for His amazing grace!

Better

I have decided that I would much rather be better than bitter. Years ago, I heard a man say that there is nothing worse than a bitter preacher. He was right. Bitterness in the heart will destroy a man or woman. God's way is to forgive, trust Him, and move on. We must know that He works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Our circumstances are never wasted in the kingdom. We just believe that God will work things out for us as His beloved children. We become better people because of what we have been through, and refuse to be bitter over the way things have worked out. Today, choose to be better rather than bitter! Mark

The Joy

There is a great joy that comes in serving. Jesus made this truth clear when He said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive". He said that he would make our joy full as we love Him and love others. Joy comes when we serve gladly those for whom He died. Joy comes when we give ourselves freely. Joy comes from abiding in the all loving One, remaining whole in Him, complete in Christ. There is a joy in belonging to Him and knowing that our lives are full and purposeful in Him. This is the joy that declares in Him we live, and move and have our being. Joy comes in the morning, and His joy is our portion in the kingdom as we live to love, and live to serve. Let joy be your portion today as you find Him again and serve those whose paths you cross. He is ordering your steps, so know that where you are, is where you are called to serve with joy today! Blessings, Mark

Praise

Praise is becoming to the upright. My translation: you are looking good when you are praising God! We visited a church today where our friends sing the high praises of God. It is hard to be down when we are praising the Lord. It reminded me of the Bible truth, that God inhabits the praises of His people. He lives among the songs and the shouts and clapping and the dancing and all the rejoicing of His people. God is well pleased to camp out with those who make a joyful noise, and He is known by those who praise Him. There is a reason we praise God. He is worthy to receive praise. He is the One we worship, so let us exalt His name together. Let the high praises of God be in our mouths, and He will surely dwell among His people. He will be our God, and we will declare that He is worthy to receive glory, and honor, and power, and praise from His children. Glory to God in the highest. Let all creation praise His holy name! Let all the saints and angels praise Him. All hail King Jesus! All hail Immanuel. He is Lord and worthy of our praise. Praise the Lord! Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Amen.

A Plan Comes Together

"I love it when a plan comes together". Great line, great truth, great heavenly Orchestrations.

I have noticed the Divine intervention at times in the way things frequently fall in place. Often things work out; Not by our great planning or abilities, but by the grace of God.

Jesus uses the symphonic "happenings" of our lives to show His kindness. We know we are enjoying the provision of providence in the simplicity of little connections, relationships, and timely " circumstantial" events. These reminders of providence assure us that He is near, and involved, and good.

Perhaps today we can gratefully allow the Lord to be God for us. He can do things we can never do for ourselves. Perhaps we can thank Him when His plan comes together, and trust that He will do it again and again.

Mark

Mozambique

Oh Mozambique, so strange and marvelous in all your mystique. The coast of indigo seas resound with beckoning call to sailor and seeker to come explore. With tales of beauty and of war, with thirsty children in villages galore, how can this land of wealth and wonder find so many starving at death's door?

But you O land of brazen contrast, have called to men so oft before. And in the shadows of my soul, I hear your children softly weeping as if they know we could do much more.

Beyond destruction and despair, where meaningless chatter fills the day, the plans are forged within my heart, that I shall come to you again and say "I am here my friend, teach me your way".

Oh Mozambique, the wonder of it all. Your name is in us and arising. I will not forget you, we will not forget you, our distant friend. For you are one my Father has chosen. You will see Him in us, and us in Him, if only He will make a way.