Give Thanks!

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. I Chronicles 16:8,9 NLT

PRAISE REPORT!

Every year, the Harper Woods Band Boosters hosts a wonderful event at the high school. This year, we celebrated hosting our 22nd Band-O-Rama!

This was my second year coordinating the event and though not everything was smooth sailing, we still had a wonderful day. God provided us with just the right weather to be outdoors--with sunshine and cool temperatures.

The community provided us with assistance from former band boosters which included the CFO of the school district and his wife, Kohl employees who volunteered and a number of students.

We enjoyed watching great band performances from local schools that ranged from 50 band members to over 200 and it was delightful!

Since this is our biggest fundraiser of the year, we try to make this event as profitable as possible, but reasonable enough for all to enjoy great food and I was told--repeatedly--that our grill master "was the bomb."

Considering the fact that we never know what the weather will be from year to year when we plan this event, I can say--unashamedly--that I stayed in communication with my Daddy--I prayed for good weather, for cooperation with others, and participation from other schools and for everything to be the success He would have it to be. God never disappoints us when we know all things work for our good.

So, this morning, I'm a bit tired, but grateful--for all who contributed to this success and for meeting some really wonderful people to whom I am indebted to love for the rest of my life.

Our God is an awesome God and I know--as long as we continue to please Him--He will hear and answer prayer.

I'm thanking Him for giving me strength to endure and courage to persist in doing all things well and hearing and answering our prayers.

Giving thanks for all He has done, is doing and will do for all who love Him and live according to His Word.

Are We Praying?

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:2-6 NIV)

When I think about what I might do if I was in chains, I wonder if I would have had the fortitude that Paul had. I honestly don't know the answer to that because I've never been locked away from people or in chains. I can only pray that my devotion to God would enable me to do likewise.

But that's the key--devotion--totally dedicated and committed to doing what is needful. Although most of us are appalled with the way the terrorist groups treat Christians, we must admit they are totally devoted to their goal--no matter how inhuman it is. They are so committed to accomplishing their goal they are willing to die to see it come to pass.

I don't want to be involved with taking the life of a another human being, but wouldn't it be great if the rest of us were as devoted to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the terrorists are in trying to decimate us?

This, then is why Paul encouraged the church at Colosse (and us) to devote ourselves to prayer--being in constant communication with God about everything that concerns us. He cautions us to be watchful--paying attention to the changes taking place around, hearing Holy Spirit when He warns us of things to come, and taking whatever action we need to take to make sure the way of the Gospel is never blocked or closed to all those who desire to hear it.

Let's face it--we have not always heeded Paul's advice which is why there are so many changes in our society--and not all of them good. We were not being watchful when Madeline Murray O'Hara decided that her children didn't need to be exposed to anyone praying in schools. The Body of Christ didn't think she'd accomplish her goal and did nothing and so today, the school systems all over the country are running amuck because open prayer is not allowed. In other words--the devil won that round. But there are still those who are devoted to praying--and students are leading prayer circles in limited situations. Hooray for the brave, bold students, but what happened to the adults who should have been fighting for the rights of all to hear and agree with the prayers?

Once again, Christian Leadership in the country failed to act on warnings by Holy Spirit and the Supreme Court has led the way for the downward spiral of morality and we shall soon see such decadent immorality that it will make our dead ancestors cringe in unbelief. Were we praying before issues reached the Supreme Court? Were we praying that our elected body of legislators would do their jobs?

Are we praying--even now--or have we become complacent and apathetic--willing to just let things take their course?

My daily prayer includes thanking God for wisdom being poured out upon every leader in this country--that they will hear from heaven and act accordingly. I'm praying that those who made the decision to legalize sin would repent and for those participating in sinful acts would repent and seek God. I thank God for the ability to love, the boldness to teach His Word, and the wisdom to know what to say and when. I thank God for inspiring me to teach my children and grandchildren to learn to please God, not man. And more importantly, I've taught them to seek God--communicating with Him on a daily basis--for answers to all their questions and solutions for all their problems.

Are we praying? Are we devoted to seeking God for every situation we encounter--for peace in the world and salvation for all?

Lord, give us insight to know that we will never have the answers for all the world's problems, but You do. And when You speak to us--directing us in how to help solve them, give us an ear to hear and a made-up mind to do--just as You direct us to do, exercising Godly wisdom at all times. Thank You for loving us enough to give us chance after chance to get things right before You return. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen!

Jesus--The Only Way!

"Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NLT)

One of the reasons I love the Gospel of John is the very personal--close-up--we get of Jesus. Now, some might say (if they are scorners) that Jesus is very arrogant. There is a difference between being arrogant and confident and here--Jesus displays His confidence in knowing who He is!

"I am the way!" The way to having eternal life and the path we all should follow for the abundant life, right here on earth, that He promises in the tenth chapter.

"I am the truth!" He is the truth--revealing the character and attributes of God in person. Every thing He did was because of the Father's DNA in Him.

"I am the life!" He is the life--the personified life of the Father, who loves us so much that He willingly gave His life for us that we might be saved from ourselves. No one else can make that claim, truthfully!

"No one can get to the Father except through Him!" That's a pretty bold statement. Basically, what He's saying is that it doesn't matter what else you believe or who else you believe or not--the only way to come into the presence of God is through Him.

Let me take this a step further. Jesus said that whatever we asked of the Father--in His name--He would do. Using the name of Jesus in our communications with God, brings us into His presence and we have the boldness--empowered by the name--to ask what we will (aligned with The Word) and have a right to expect it to come to pass.

Nowhere in The Word are we told to "pray" in another person's name or pray to another person. When we do--we negate our ability to be in His presence, and have no confidence in our prayers which is why some people--never see prayers answered. We are not told to "repeat words"--ad nauseum--to receive forgiveness. We are not told to go through Mary to get to Jesus. We are not told to pray to statutes or to expect answers to prayers by rubbing beads, or stones or any other man-made item. The only way (and He is the way) we can confidently pray (communicate with God) and expect answers is when we ask of God--whatever it is--in the name of Jesus!

If anyone is teaching anything other than what God has said in His Word--they are liars and the Truth is not in them. Muhammad is not the way, Buddha is not the way, Mary is not the way, Jesus is the Only Way--we come into the presence of God! Hallelujah!

Be Still and Know!

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10).

Why does it seem like the enemy is winning the battle of good and evil?

Why do parents abandon and abuse children?

Why do predators exist and keep preying on the vulnerable and weak?

Why is it that those who attempt to do good--always, seem to have more difficulty in life than those who do evil?

Why is that we often lose loved ones to sickness and disease and yet those who never do anything right, continue to live?

Why is it some will always hate others for no other reason than they are different?

Why can't the human race (not the white, black, brown, or red, but all) just get along with one another and stop hating?

Why do children die young, before they have opportunity to live life?

Why can't our government stop feuding long enough in their attempt to promote personal agendas and see the needs of the people?

Why do we have to maim and kill one another?

Why can't we all just learn to exist--peaceably--on the one planet in which we must stay?

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof," He has just allowed us to enjoy His goodness on earth for a number of days (that number which we do not know), so why don't we--just enjoy it and give Him praise for it? There is going to be a time and that time is soon when all knees will bow and declare His goodness! He will be exalted among those who claim to never have known Him.

There are more questions than answers to explain life and living, but this one thing we can be sure of--if we just get quiet and stop trying to figure things out that God has already worked out--He will get the glory in the end. Because He love us, when we are obedient to Him--no matter what--we will receive all of His promises. All we have to do is--be still and know that no matter what is going on around us--He is still God--of the righteous and the unrighteous, the just and unjust, the saved and unsaved--God of all at all times!

This Is My Prayer!

Father,

I ask You to look upon this world and all of its inhabitants and
Touch hearts that need emotional healing,
Touch bodies that need physical healing,
Touch minds that need mental healing, and
Touch finances in such a way that all are blessed to be a blessing.
Speak to the hearts of those who govern others so we may know peace in the land.
Speak to the hearts of those who hate others for no reason so love can overflow.
Speak to mothers and fathers and guide them in being the parents You want them to be.
Speak to children and give them instruction in how to be obedient and respectful to all.
Speak to teachers and show them how to teach.
Speak to students and open their minds to learning and being the best they can.
Speak to leaders in every venue--businesses, government, school, churches, and homes and remind them to conduct themselves as representatives of who You are--seeking to defend the rights of the poor and needy, wherever we find them.
Look upon those who are lost--not having known You and put one of Your children along their path, so they will come to know You.
Look upon all those who serve You and grant them favor everywhere they go with everyone they meet.
Examine each and every one of us--show us where we need to improve in our relationship with You and with others.
Remind us of Your Word through the Holy Spirit who guides and teaches all who will receive. 
Thank You for hearing and answering this prayer.
Pour out a special blessing for all who agree with it and share it with others--loving like Jesus, unconditionally.

In Jesus' name I pray and thank You, Amen!

Praying for Rain!

Father,
We ask for Your intervention and for rain for the western states engulfed in flames that no life may be lost.  We thank You for being a loving God, full of mercy and grace.  We praise You for being the only wise God and thank You for hearing and answering prayers.  In Jesus' name, we pray and thank You, Amen!