Psalm 94:11 ” The Lord knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile.”

The Lord knows them all…every ill-intended, evil thought.  He sees every vain and worthless plan, and will  listen to every ridiculous scheme when we’re trying to impress Him with our wisdom. To paraphrase I Corinth. 3:20,  The wisdom of the world is utterly absurd and ridiculous to God is so very true.  Every time we think we know it all…we need to remember that we know nothing.

Jude 1:2 ” Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.”

On this first day of 2016,  I pray this scripture over you and yours.  May the Lord’s compassion be ever evident in your life…may you discover true peace that is only brought about by God’s tender mercy,  granting you deliverance and freedom from sin…and may His unconditional love shine brightly on you as you journey ahead in this new year.  God loves you!

Jeremiah 14:7 ” Although our sins testify against us, O Lord, do something for the sake of Your name. For our backsliding is great; we have sinned against You.”

Backsliding…slipping from good behavior to bad.  Most times it’s slow and insidious…our waywardness creeping steadily towards what’s wrong…and before we realize it, we’re caught up in evil.  Rarely do we see a Believer blatantly plunge into the deep end of wickedness without regard of the consequences for themselves and their relationship with God.  Backsliding is rationalizing away God and putting ourselves in control…and that never ends well.

Isaiah 9:6 ” For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus the Messiah has come to earth for you and me this Christmas Day. He offers mercy and love, peace and comfort, salvation and eternal life in place of the pain, loss, and hopelessness that may be in your life today.  Allow Him to come into your life and change you from the inside out…taking all the negatives and transforming them into hope for the future. A Blessed Christmas to all of you!

Acts 18: 9-10 ” One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; Keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.’ “

After this revelation, Paul boldly stayed in Corinth for  almost 2 years preaching and teaching the Word of God.  Even when the Jews attempted to bring Paul before the Proconsul, Gallio, he refused to listen to the case.  Proverbs 16:7 states, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him.”  The very safest place to be is in the center of God’s Will.

Genesis 1:26 ” Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness’…”

We are the only creatures on earth that the Lord created  like Him.  When someone looks at you…they should see the Father. When they look in your eyes, they should see Jesus smiling back.   The old adage is so true here –  a apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.  You are like your Father, and your Father is in you.

I Chronicles 16: 31 ” Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns! “

All authority, dominion and power belongs to God. His throne is established from everlasting to everlasting… His glory displayed for all.   Let the heavens  and earth shout for joy, for the Lord reigns!

Revelation 19:9 ” Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’ “

Jesus illustrated this passage in Luke 14: 15-24 in the Parable of the Great Banquet.  When the invited guests declined dinner, the master had his servants go out into the streets and bring in the poor, crippled, blind, and lame.  But with room still left at the table, the master then told his servants to, ” Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in so my house will be full.”  Those who will be gathered around that magnificent banquet table some day will be exalted, glorified, and redeemed of God.

Lamentations 5: 19 ” You, O Lord, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation.”

Over the course of time, kingdoms rise and fall.  Mighty Rulers are in power, and then fade from history.  But God’s all-powerful throne is established forever, His Kingdom permanently fixed and rooted from everlasting to everlasting.

I Corinthians 15: 10 ” But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect…”

Every time you discount the work of the Lord in your life…every time you treat with insignificance the miraculous things He’s done in and through you…you are maligning God.  In effect you’re saying to the Lord, ” Your unearned favor towards me means nothing .”  So today, think about just how far the Lord has brought you, and then thank Him…for you are who you are today because of Him.