April 1st

Today my heart is heavy, I’m remembering a time in the hospital, I cried out to God how long. I was not complaining, I was baring my soul! David in Psalm13:1 bares his and prays also.

How many times have we felt He has forgotten us or abandoned us, I have. People let’s be real and cry out to God! I believe in my case, it made me stronger, I was in a position I needed to walk by faith not by my feelings. Faith hopes where there seems to be none, feelings can fool you. I did not feel God but, I knew He was there, so I hung on.

It’s okay to bare your soul to Him, His Son bore all on the cross, He at one point felt rejection; yet He knew His Father was still there

There may be some who read this who need to just hold on! You might be numb of feelings, that’s good now your walking by faith!

Lord, sometimes our hearts are filled with feelings of rejection or abandonment. Help us oh God, to realize and know the truth. You are always there, you never leave. We must learn your word is truth and know by faith you are there! Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RL

March 31st

In Psalm 11:1 we read that David is counciled to flee to the hills. Instead, he says in Jehovah I put my trust. He had such a heart, he knew God would deliver him. He was not afraid!

In our lives, there are times we need to stand our ground! There are times, we don’t need to listen to good men, we need to hear God! He still speaks today, we just need to be still and listen.

I remember one time in college, I felt impressed by God not to go to Europe with the choir. It was the summer of 77. I went home and spent a few weeks with my Dad. He died June 26th. I would have missed our talks,
our fishing trips and our dinners

If I had not been still, I would have missed all that! We must learn to come into His presence and hear what he is saying. I don’t know about you but I need all the help I can get!

Lord still our hearts to hear your voice, help us a needy people to be at the right place at the right time!

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!


RL

March 30th

As a Christian, I have seen men of wickedness prosper. I have been asked more than once, why? I tell them, that’s all they will receive ! They will not have a crown of life but damnation. So let them prosper now. For when they die; they will receive their just rewards!

Psalm 10 : 1-18, tells about how the poor are unjustly used. How the wicked day after day abuse them. David has the heart of God, he knows how the poor are persecuted and through this psalm tells of the judgment of the wicked. So today the poor are abused and persecuted but, one day they shall be rewarded. Jesus tells us the poor will always be with us. So if a poor person is in your church, treat him as you would any other person, he is your brother also. If you have problems in this area, see your pastor!

In Matthew, it says the poor in spirit shall inherit the earth but poor here is talking about people who are so bankrupt of themselves Jesus is all they desire. This is where we all need to be. Amen.

Lord help us to gre you more then silver or gold! Amen!!!!!!!!!!!


RL

March 29th

I was graciously informed, my view of judgment lacked an aspect I would like to try and convey.

When man fell, Gods’ judgment was the plan of salvation through His Son. His love for mankind is immeasurable and He made a way were there was none. The law only exposed mans’ inability to keep the law. It took awhile from Genesis to Mathew but, God made a way, Jesus was born.

Jesus came to change the inward part of man, his heart. So we see the love of Gods’ judgment, through His plan of salvation. Not through the blood of animals but, the spilt blood of Jesus!

His judgment was so beautifully put, I want to share a piece in my words. Even as the stars and planets hung in their place, are a result of Gods’ plan of salvation. He knew before Adam sinned, that man needed a savior. Judgement had been executed, man would be saved

One part of God we must never forget is His judgment, whether it be damming or grace. I thank Him everyday for His grace, whether it rebukes or covers me.

Lord may we understand you judgements of ole and those now. Cover us by your grace for we all need it!

Amen.

RL

March 28th

If we believe the Bible, we believe one day all men shall be judged! Hell is for those who denied Christ. One denomination believes, denial is the unpardonable sin. All I know is, WE WILL BE JUDGED.That’s why we do what we do, because Jesus saved us and we escape Hell [Sheol]. But, our true reason should be, I’m in love with Christ.

David might have lived in the Old Testament day but, he knew more than the average Israelite. He had spent hour upon hour and day after day, seeking Jehovah. He knew God, his heart was tender before the Lord.

Our hearts are torn apart, by cares of this live; bills, job and so forth. I can do things you cannot, because I can’t work; but yet, I fall way short! We must keep our hearts tender before the Lord.

In Psalm 9:1-20, David speaks of the judgement of the Lord. Psalm 9:17, talks about the wicked going to Sheol and the nations who have forgotten God. His judgement might have seemed cruel but, remember we are talking Old Testament.

Today, we have a choice to serve Him or be against Him.

His judgement will still seem as cruel by some but, His righteousness is above all. He alone has the right to judge. All will be judged, even His church. My question is, what side will you be on!

Lord, I thank you for Jesus. He took our punishment instead. Burn away all our unrighteousness and help us to love as you love.

Amen!

RL

March 27th

In Psalm 8:6-9, we read about his authority over the earth. As born again Christians, we have authority not only over the earth but, we have authority over the spirit realm. it’s not our authority, it’s Christs’ and He lives in us. But, there is a condition to that abiding in us; we must abide in Him. If we could only learn how much is ours, if only we made our abode in Him!

So I encourage you to seek Him, persevere and I know His authority will be your. It might be a struggle but the reward is worth it.

One way we can abide is to esteem His name over all the earth. Jesus took back all authority back and it’s ours! Walk as a child of the King, you are not in bondage no more! Live above the things of this world! If you walk around with your chin down, rise up! No longer shall we be beaten down, we are free! Whatever the enemy has stolen from you, demand it back! Remind him of the works of Christ and how you now walk with Him! He has no authority over you because the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, dwell in you mortal body!

Lord give us illumination, we need to realize who we are in you!

Amen!

RL

March 26th

You ever fell and see everything in slow motion and your life flashes before you? I did today, my knuckles have looked better!

In our walk with God, it’s kind of like that I mean, slipping away from Him. Backsliding is a slow process, we gradually lose footing an before you know it, BAM!!!!!

I will speak from my own life, that way you can know I’m not talking about you. hehe!!!!!!!!

You start out so slow, you hardly notice, a bad word here or there. Then you start to disassociate yourself from people you normally hang around. You find yourself going places you would never go, Little by little, you do things you used to. Now this process can take awhile, I took two years. Falling today in slow motion reminded me of it. We must guard our heart, ask God to keep your heart tender, I do!

Lord, we fall so easily. We ask that you guard out hearts! We are just as bad, if not worse than the Israelites of old! Help us in all our weaknesses for they are many!

Amen!


RL

March 25th

In Psalm 7:8 we hear David say, judge me according to my righteousness . . .

We all know David was not perfect, we do know that his heart was inclined towards God. He had the law and we have Christ! Even when going into a Holy place, we stand on the righteousness of Christ.

Let me ask, would we even, with the righteousness of Christ, be able to pray such a powerful prayer? I know I would not, I’d be scared a lightening bolt would strike me from Heaven! David had such a close relationship with God, it transcended the law. God said Himself, he is a man after my own heart.

David sought God with his heart out of love an God knew that. We need to put aside every distraction and seek God for one reason. Because we love Him.

Today we see many people who say they love God, yet their lives tell us another story. It’s a heart issue, and only God knows our heart.

Father, judge us in Christ righteousness, not our own. We know or at least I know my righteousness is as black smoke! Help us see who we are in Christ and lead us to a place, where our heart is inclined only to you!

Amen!!!!!!!


RL

March 24th

Have you ever read Psalm 6:1-10, sounds to me David is at a all time low. Have you ever been at a place, your prayers seemed like they did not even reach the ceiling?

When I was a senior in high school, I was in a place completely void of sensing His presence. I would go to church and felt nothing. Go to a prayer meeting, nothing!

My first year at Christ for the Nations, almost ended in me going home I felt nothing. One night God delivered me. What I learned in that year and a half was, when you are void of feeling, go by what you know It might take awhile, don’t give up! You might be a foot from deliverance.

Even though David was at a low, He pushed on. So we must push on, even though you feel like quitting. The night He delivered me, I could take no more. I was with a choir at a church. We sang one song and set down. When we did, I closed my eyes. I said God, if you don’t do something now, I’m going to get up and walk out. I saw an image of Satan in my mind. He had a handful of arrows. He hurled them at me, as they were about to hit Gods’ hands deflected them! At that moment I heard Him, God say, from this day forth, you will not suffer like this.

I was about to quit, give up, walk out. I was a foot away, so you may be to.

Hang on!!

Don’t quit!!

RL

March 23rd

I love the Palms.

David spared no expense when he prayed. What I mean by that, he prayed fervently. I like his prayer in Psalm 5: 11. Here we see that those who put their trust in God, He will defend them. If we trust in Him, the promise is He will defend! The key, is we have to trust.

I know things in this world sometimes cause us to have a lack of trust, we see things happening we don’t understand. That’s when trust really comes out, do we truthfully trust or just say we do.

I remember when I was six, my Father put us all in a car and said, we’re going to see Aunt Alderine. It was a four hour trip, to a lad my age, it was forever! I trusted my Dad and knew he’d get us there but, every ten minutes or so; I’d ask, are we there yet

I know it’s harder to trust someone you can’t see, that’s where faith comes in.

Do I really have the faith that I need to trust?

I learned to trust Him flat on my back. I knew the Word of God planted in my heart would bring me life and He did. A friend of mine wrote a piece and the bottom line was do we have the mind of Christ? The more of Him we allow, the stronger our faith and our trust. Lord, be our defender! Help us be more like you, so our faith You have given us will flourish! Amen

RL

March 22nd

I have been saying since 85 that the U.S. will face the judgment of God. I believe we will see an economic meltdown, riots in large cities and massive unemployment. I’m not the only one saying this, other with much more clout! The only thing we can do is pray for Gods’ mercy during this time. If we continue to pray, it might lessen the blow but, judgment is on its way.

About twenty years ago, the Lord told me to lose weight. I did not! The result, I became a diabetic the U.S. has murdered 49,551,703 babies since Roe vs Wade. Our grandchildren have little respect for their parent or society. Now with the American dream almost washed away; it’s even worse!

I know I’m painting a bad picture but, we deserve judgment! I do not look forward to it but America has not acted favorably to our God. So I would suggest repenting for your sins and coming back to Yahweh!

I know this is hard but . . . it's what's on my mind!

RL

March 21st

In Psalm 4:8, David gives thanks to God for his safety during sleep. How many times do we go to sleep and wake up. We never give thanks for the little things.

When I was in the hospital, it had been three weeks. I had an itch that was driving me crazy, no one except me was in the room. I could barely lift my hand. I bet I tried for an hour, trying to scratch my nose. Finally I just gave up. A couple weeks later, the same situation. I had been in therapy, I now lifted my arms a little bit higher
I tried for an hour at least but this time, I was able to scratch my nose! When my wife came back from work, you’d have thought I had won a gold metal. I was so proud of myself!

I have been at a place, where the little things matter. I never take them for granted. I cherish what the Lord has allowed me to do and I thank Him for it! We must be like Christ and cherish the little things. He took nothing for granted, He knew He could have called at anytime to His Father to deliver Him. But, He knew He had to walk a certain path!

Let us not take for granted the things we have, no matter how much or how little; let’s cherish them Lord, we need to be more thankful!

Forgive us for overlooking Your blessings all around us.

Amen.


RL

March 20th

I remember when I had been at Methodist Rehab for six weeks, I was supposed to be released the next day. A friend of mine came to visit and made the remark, I see they’re releasing you tomorrow. Without thinking, I said, No, the Lord says two more weeks. He at first was taken off guard but, then he said, I agree; two more weeks.

In Psalm 3, David is praying very heavily, his son wants to kill him. His Enemies are all about there seems no way out but, the Lord delivers David. I needed a couple more weeks of therapy, there seemed no way out. The bureaucracy all around me, God made a way

You might be in a situation today, if you listen to God and believe, He will be your shield. Stand your ground and believe that God will deliver you.

Lord help our unbelief and help us to stand and see you with our spiritual eyes, You are our shield.

RL

March 19th

Whom do you trust? Webster defines it, to put your confidence in somebody or something.

The last part of Psalm 2:12 says; . . . Blessed are those who put their trust in Him.

Do you put your trust in God, or do you trust in someone other than Him. I was laying near death in 2005. I KNEW that I trusted Him. I knew the doctors had done all they could.To put your confidence in someone, you must first believe He is who he say. Second, you must live as He has said. To walk and talk one way and expect His blessings is a joke.

Christianity is for real, not a maybe. If you say you believe then prove first. Those who truly put their trust in Him shall be blessed! Lord we need to trust you completely and for whatever reason; we fail or should I say I o! Please take us by the hand an help us!

Amen!!!!!!!!!

RL

March 18th

The Word of God in Psalm 1 teaches us that to be strong in Him we must not seek council from the unGodly. How many times have we listened to those who do not know God! If we are to be a strong tree planted by the waters of life, we must walk with those who know God. I’m not saying to throw away all your friend but, you are who you hang out with.

I remember going back from Mississippi to Dallas, we picked up a hitchhiker. It was raining and I felt sorry for him. I will never forget his words of advice. He was a seminary student who knew God. He said the first year of college he ran with a crowd of Christians who did not want to know God that much. He almost flunked out his first year. He made a decision the second year to only hang around people who really wanted to know God, his whole life changed! He said, you are who you hang around with!

I believe that, make the choice today and stick to it! Make your friends, who want to know Him. I’m not saying be so rigid, you always turn away a nonbeliever but, choose friend who have a true heart for Him.

As we travel this life, we should seek the council of the Godly. A couple days ago, I talked about meditating on His Word, Psalm 1 talks about meditating day and night! Lord, help us choose the right friends!

We need your Word an desire oh! God to be like a tree planted by Your living waters.

If we are, Your Word tells us, WE WILL BE BLESSED! Amen!!


RL

March 17th

Say your twenty-one, what kind of condition will you be in thirty years from now?

My mother-in-law is big an so is my sister-in-law. My wife would have been but, shes’ had gastric bypass. I started telling my girls at an early age, eating right and a good exercise program now will help them in the long run. I waited until I had the stroke, it’s never to late. I try to exercise twice a week, sometimes three times. I eat healthy and try to keep my glucose down.

As a Christian, we are the temple of God, he resides in us. Since we are, we need to take care of the body we have. Don’t go to extremes but, do watch your lifestyle. Lord, help us to be a better steward of our bodies. Put within us a desire to eat right and exercise, keep us health.

RL

March 16th

Going through my mental shortcoming, I know what it’s like to be treated as if you have the plaque. I already have people treat me different because I’m disabled. It can be somewhat overwhelming I have a friend in my hometown who is going through this, so he has a problem, it can be overcome. It has taken me a couple years of group therapy but, I can honestly say, the Lord is my strength and I have overcome.

Truth be known, there are many cases undiagnosed. The first step is asking for help, then your on your way to recovery. As Christians, we should treat all men the same! The key to this my friend is . . . seek His Kingdom first!

Lord help us see others as You see them, let us not be swayed by differences. We all need You, to hold us by the hand an take care of all our problems, whatever they are. Amen!!"

March 14th

Gods’ Word is so important, it it how we learn what He likes and dislikes. I’ve been married 30 years, my wife’s favorite color is yellow and her favorite food is shrimp. I know this because we spent time together.
I got to know her by understanding her likes and dislikes.

God has given us the Bible to know what pleases or displeases Him. In the Old Testament, the Hebrews world were tablets of the first 5 books of the Bible on their heads, to keep them mindful of what God had done for them.

Ps. 119:11 talks about hiding His Word in your heart that you might not sin against Him. Knowing the word by memory is such a good way to keep us on the right path. We need to eat the Word and meditate on it.

I want to ask a personal question, how much of His Word do you store in your heart A lot of our temptations would not have such hold on us, if we kept His Word close to us! Hide His Word in your heart, not just your mind and I can promise a break through.

The way I make a scripture mine, I mediate on it until I fully understand it and then meditate some more. When I have finally got it, I have memorized it without trying.

Lord help us to learn how we can make Your Word ours’. For it’s in your Word we find life! Amen!!"


RL

March 13th
Disappointments, hurts, unexpected happenings, frustrations and I could go on and on. What do we do, lay in our misery? We marry and things don’t turn out the way we thought it would. Our job has become a weight around our neck. Do we focus on these things or do we lay them at His feet and focus on Him?

We can crawl around the pit and feel sorry for our self or we can focus on what He has already done for us. Life happens, we need to understand He does not interfere. Our decisions we make, carve out our lives. We need to seek Him more and make the right choices. Even then there could be pain, are you willing? All He’s wanting is an obedient heart. Help us oh Lord, to seek you and when you speak; obey!"


RL

March 12th

I’ve been emailing my cousin all day, we discuss Bible beliefs all the time. I remember one time, my mother ran us out of the house, because she was tired of listening. She thought we were arguing but, we were not. I have another friend whom I talk with often. He and I have discussed from Genesis - Revelation and even if we get mad, we still talk again. We need to know issues, what do we believe and why! We are not drones, we must study and make sure the preacher, teacher and lay person is right.

If a person is of any worth, he does not mind others studying to prove him right or wrong.

I myself welcome constructive criticism. The Word of God says, study to show thyself approved.

RL

March 11th

I am diagnosed as clinically depressed, for years I went without that knowledge. Since early childhood, I have had bouts of depression. It was life for me, my home life was not the best. As I got older, so did the depression. It only got worse a year after the stroke I had. I’ve come to find out, the part of the brain that helps me reason and deduct was damaged. I am in constant battle for my thought life! It has been my faith in God that has helped me through so far.

I bombard my mind every morning with the Word on CD. I meditate on it during the day. I believe because of this, my mind is much better. I know my problems are few compared to some of you but, I know there is power in His word! No matter what your place in life, His Word bring comfort and healing.

RL

March 10th

I went to the nursing home today.
I went to visit a few people. There is this one lady I have known for almost five years. When I met her, she was 92 years old and still walking. She is now 97, can't walk but still full of life. She and I have talked several times, her faith in God is unshakable! At 97, she plays games an works crossword puzzles.

She also visits those less fortunate. I am inspired by her life, I cannot imagine the change she has seen, WWI, The depression, WWII, Korea, Vietnam an the War on terrorism. Yet her faith in God is still as strong as it ever was. She told me, no fire, no good! I know she has seen a lot and been a lot of places. One day, if I live to be 97 I will be able to say . . .

He is my Lord! Jesus, we so often complain over little things, help us to walk uprightly, so glory can be given to You an You alone! Amen!!!!!!!!!!

RL