Oct 31 Worthy 

God is worthy of our reverence, acknowledgment that He is the creator of heaven and earth and of you and me. 
Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created.” 

Next, Jesus is our way to God, our path back to our creator. Jesus is the way the truth and the life, and we come to the Father through Jesus. 
Hebrews 2:9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 

Through Jesus' atonement, the Father considers us precious, valuable to seal us with the Holy Spirit. God is at work in you through the Holy Spirit (and His Word) as your guide. You were wonderfully made with a God-given purpose. 
2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power. 

Lastly, many will hate you because you love Jesus. The Jesus in you repels those who hate God. 
Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

Acts 5:41
So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Matthew 5:10-12
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


Oct 30 Equip 

God has given us His Word to prepare us mentally for a task or situation. Let us compare Peter and Paul, one a fisherman, a laborer, and the other well educated. With Peter and the other disciples, religious leaders realized they had been with Jesus. 

The disciples understood the scriptures of the Old Testament. They saw how Jesus fulfilled the OT prophecies for the arrival of the Jewish Messiah and what his death meant. Paul, a trained Pharisee, met Jesus on the road and combated heresy that challenged the Gospel. 

We read Watchman Nee, Tozer, Packard, Scofield, CS Lewis, and more. But whether we are well-educated or simple laborers, we can tell others about the love of Jesus Christ. 

2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate equipped for every good work. 

Oct 29 Morning

Every morning is new with no mistakes. Lucy Maud Montergery wrote that line in Anne of Green Gables. It's like don't worry about yesterday's mistakes or failures; just keep moving forward, learn and do better today. 

One of the first ways I would start a quiet time as a new Christian was to use CATS as an acronym: Confession, Adoration, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. (or ACTS: Adoration first, then confession, to thanksgiving and supplication.) It is a simple beginning to the day but coupled with Psalm 5 v.3, and it is like saying good morning, LORD, I acknowledge YOu today. 

Psalm 5:3 In the morning O Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayers to You and eagerly watch. 

So when lost or sadness still your joy, life's disappointments touch your soul, and you've lost your way, always start at the beginning with a simple verse and a simple prayer and pour out your heart to God. 

Oct 28 Fail

Thomas Edison said: “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”  And the one that does work...
Failing is a learning experience for us to grow, learn and do better the next time. In the movie, Meet the Robinson, the motto, keep moving forward, was the theme for the whole movie. The point is to learn from mistakes so they are not repeated. 
Proverbs 24:16 For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.

2 Corinthians 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

But we need to remember God's great love for us. 
Lamentations 3:22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Psalm 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. Isaiah 30:15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.

Oct 27 Gift

Gift of Salvation and the Gifts from the Holy Spirit. 
Eternal life is not earned. It is a gift that Jesus paid for which is a personal choice to receive or not. 
A gift that is received in the thrill of the moment but never opened is like seeds that fell along the path and the bird quickly ate the seed before it took root. An emotional experience is not the same as opening your heart. 
The seed that fell on rocky soil is when the message sounds great but not right now, maybe later. 
The seed that fell among the thorns is when concerns of life, making a living, career, etc take president over your spiritual life. The good soil is simply receiving the message of salvation by faith.  

Our next gift comes from the Holy Spirit as we are sealed in the Father's love by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit imparts the fruit of the spirit to every believer. 
I Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit imparts gifts, the first being the fruits of the spirit. 
Galatians 5:22. Every new believer receives the fruit of the spirit. The Holy Spirit work is to impart love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 
I Corinthians 12:8-10, Gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment are gifts from the Holy Spirit. 
 
One common factor is that for a gift to be yours, you must accept it. ( i.e. salvation) Then some gifts you develop by studying the Word, listening, reasoning as to how to use any gift with clarity, and thereby, understanding its purpose.  
For me, it is not always easy, sometimes it is very hard. But I never doubt the assurity of my salvation by faith. 

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 
Ephesians 2:8-9. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 



Oct 26 Light

The church is the light of the world. 
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
John 3:21 He who practices the truth comes to the light that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. 

The Last Autumn 
Extravagant colors!
A migratory birds last song.
Light wanes for evening.

Nature splendor yields 
a harvest of abundance, 
Thankfulness expressed. 

Inner autumn calls,
time to embrace season’s change.
The wind howls for rest.

Light narrows yet shines.
Truth displayed for all to see, 
God’s bountiful grace. 

Rapture for the church 
The last harvest, winter comes.
Weary souls find rest. 

John 8:12 Jesus said:I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Oct 25 Thinker

A mind free to think will imagine, reason, and then decide to act. 

CS Lewis said that imagination is key to reason. But your mind must be clear, lucid; looking beyond instant gratification to see a reasonable danger. Reason trains the mind, imagination helps you see beyond what you know. Reason test, decipher, and separate subtleties that are snares. You are ready to think -to act beyond just yourself. 
Philippians 4:8 
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Romans 12:2 
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Oct 24 Always

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
My pastor preached on Philippines 4. Rejoice always, and in everything by prayer, and supplication with thanksgiving, let your heart (request) be made known to God. God knows your heart but do we? Paul was able to face persecution because Paul knew his own heart and the heart of God.

Oct 23 Path 

I attended two very different birthday parties today. My great-niece turned one, and my neighbor of 18 years turned ninety. My path crossed family, friends, and people I didn't know. 
How many pathways have you crossed (lives touched) in your lifetime? When someone crossed your path, were you at their crossroad? 
Every life-thread in the tapestry of time is valuable and necessary to create a picture. God knows the plans He has for you. 
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Isaiah 30:20-21
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left

OCt 22 Still

Let go of insecurities: Romans 8:1-2 
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” 

Let go of the fight: Exodus 14:14 
"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Let go of doubt, ask for help: Matthew 11:28
 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Let go of resentment: Colossians 3:15 
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Let go of worry: 1 Peter 5:7 
"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you"

Stillness comes in letting go. His word speaks as to how to let go. 

Oct 21 Afraid

"I don't know. I just am," replied the child.
"Then I will sit with you until you are not afraid anymore," replied Jesus. "We'll face it together."
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. This type of fear is one of reverence-awe. It has the power to draw you in amazement at what God can do. 

Oct 20 Taste 

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 38:4 
We have four basic sensory tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour. It is the blend of these flavors on our tongue that brings forth the sensory experience of taste. One can describe spoken words as sweet, angry, poignant, bitter.  Truth spoken may be received as a lovely word, soothing and comforting. Your comment may be salty, to the point, and revealing. Bitterness hurts, so do loss and sadness.  When all this gets jumbled together, communication may be difficult. Just speak the truth in love. 
Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Oct 19 Effort 

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. 

I think of Abigail wife of Nabal. Nabal insulted David's servants and when David heard of insult, he was determined to kill Nabal and his household. David told 400 of his men to draw their swords.  (David had guarded Nabal's flocks and kept them safe.) 
A servant told Abigail what happened. Abigail gathered food already prepared and went to meet David.  She interceded for her husband, David relented and thanked her for staying in hand in a foolish act. Her efforts reminded David that he too was a servant of God. 
I do wonder how she had 200 hundred loaves of bread, jugs of wine, five sheep prepared, five measures of roasted grain, hundred clusters of raisins, and fig cakes. 

Oct 18 Kind 

Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24

Kindness is like a ripple. 
Each little thing we do goes out into the world touching more and more people. Each thing we do can be kind, mean, or just a missed opportunity. The one certainty is that kindness can rip through meanness.  Kindness interjected at any moment diminishes the ripple of negativity. 

Every act of KINDNESS creates a ripple. 
Each little thing we do goes out into the world touching more and more people. 
What will you do to start a ripple of kindness today?

He hath showed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8

Lynne Bauman wrote:Kindness towards someone else, helps them feel seen, appreciated, and valued.

Oct 17 Trust

I was having trouble distinguishes between trust and faith. Trust is the reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone. People will disappoint and so does God when I don't understand His purpose or forget that each person has a free will. I cannot prayer a person into heaven or turning back to God. The point is God doesn't change to suit me. He doesn't alter His nature for any of us to be right. I can trust that He is the same. The same God who died for me does know me and will attend His ear to my prayers. 
When the change you been praying for hasn't happened that doesn't mean He didn't listen. It means through your prayers God is still working in their life. 

Oct 16 Temporary

Faith in faith is temporary.
Faith in God is eternal.
Faith in your timing is temporary.
Faith in God's timing is immutable.
Faith in changing another person is temporary
Faith in God changing one's heart is permanent.
Faith in feeling is temporary.
Faith in God's Word is solid, a cornerstone.
Faith in my efforts is temporary
Faith in God's ability to accomplish his purpose is unchanging.  
God's word is solid, immutable, unchanging, eternal.

Oct 15, Treasure

Storing up our treasure in heaven and not on earth reminds us how temporal this world is and not as important as our immoral soul. This parable in Matthew teaches us not to hold on so tight that we lose our , Town soul. In James, our life is like a vapor in the whole timeline but has a lasting effect. With Jesus' death and resurrection, the twelve disciples, Paul, new believers in Acts, and every one thereafter established the church age. 
Today, we have the Bible in our hands, we can hear from Him every day. Psalms 119: I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Knowing God's word and treasuring it in our hearts is how we know God. 
When doubt and confusion come, read the Bible for clarity. It is a roadmap. Hide God's word in your heart, memorize scriptures, so they will come to you in times of need. 

Oct 14 Toward

Philippians 3:14, Paul said, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Whenever there is a challenge facing you, you must learn how to press on. Paul uses the analogy of a race to show that we are constantly striving toward our goals. God wants us to keep on striving, keep on trying, and to keep moving on; trying to reach our goal.
Stay with the Lord. Stay in His word. Hide his word in your heart that you may see the light on the path. 

Oct 13 Redeemed
The fight has already been won. I am redeemed. Jesus is worthy of being praised here on earth and in Heaven for all eternity. Accept Him as Lord and Savior because He welcomes you with arms wide open to hold you and protect you forever. Jesus saved me, and He is the one and only Savior. It is well with my soul. Song: Big Daddy Weave/ Redeemed. 

Oct 12 Everyone 
Luke11: 10-12 And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. 
God answers prayers. Luke 11:8 and yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 

God isn't a Santa Clause, and prosperity preaching is false teaching. Don't confuse the two. God does answer your prayers. How presistent are you in your prayer life? 

Oct. 10. God established Time
Time is a fixed entity that is set for a season and is always moving forward. God cannot undo time. God's purposes are unchangeable and set for a season of salvation as a test to man's free will. (Hebrews 6:17-18) There is no variation or shifting of shadows for God's unchangeable plan. All things being possible for God ( Phil 4:13, Matt 19:26) is predicated on a few impossibilities concerning His nature. God cannot lie and therefore He is the plumb-line for the truth to be measured. God exists outside of time. He is the Alpha and Omega. Imagine God holding the ribbon of time, the beginning in one hand to the end in the other. He surveys all of time, simultaneously. (Read Oct 4 & 9)
(NOTE: Moses convinced God not to destroy Israel for their unbelief and events were change when David prayed and ask God what would happen if he remained in the city. So David left and Saul did not attack.)

Oct 9. The Power of God's Word

We have entered an age where everyone is right in their own eyes. Each version is at odds with the other. God's Word is the plumb line by which all truth is measured. A plumb line is a weight suspended from a string used as a vertical reference line to ensure a structure is centered. God cannot lie; it is impossible for him to do so; therein lies the power of His Word. 

Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Psalm 119:105,  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Oct. 8 Complete

Ephesians 4: We are equipped for the work of service, to building up of the body of Christ; until we attain unity....no longer children, tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him. Romans 5 and James 1, tells us that trails produces endurance and perseverance to proven character to hope. And hope does not disappoint. 
Paul tells up to run the good race. Positional I am complete in Christ but I work everyday toward being more like Christ. When I doubt myself or wonder about my purpose, I repeat to myself as a reminder that Jesus' death is the complete propitiation for my sin. I am totally loved, approved of and accepted by God.  Whew! Something to be thankful for. 

Oct. 7 Encourage 

Encourage means to inspire, bolster, uplift, cheer up, reassure, have faith and fortitude. 
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. 
We are to mutually encourage each other, be a friend, reach out to the broken-hearted. Step out of our comfort zone and find that person who needs a friend today. 
A good word makes another person glad. 
A smile given increases a person worth. 
Your time is a valuable gift to another.

Oct 6: Whole 

And the two shall become one...a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Gen 2:24 and Ecclesiastes 4:12. 
Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
For a marriage to be whole certain boundaries must be set in your words and actions. Namecalling, jealousy, abusive language cross the boundaries of respect and love into control and selfishness.  It is hard to unsay something that cuts deep into one's heart. Forgiveness may be given but trust will be lost and has to be earned again. 
Begin your marriage with clear-cut boundaries that you refuse to cross, not only in words but in your thoughts. Never speak a curse, always speak a blessing. 
A Wedding Blessing for my son and new daughter by RL Brown

Oct 5: Patient

Patience seems to be lost in a world of instant gratification. Acquiring patience is a complex skill of reason, forethought, emotional stability intertwined with kindness, cooperation, and selflessness. It is not for the faint of heart or someone with a me-first attitude. 

Jesus called men from all walks of life. He was patient with Peter's headlong ways, Thomas' doubts, Judas' unbelief, the Romans who gambled for his garments and hung Him on the cross. 

How is it that we have no patience for our fellow man who does not believe as we do? The world has gone so far as not to suffer the mention of Jesus' name. Don't be offended by their ridicule, sneering, and mocking for Jesus' name. 

I Peter 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you.

John 15:25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

Oct 4: Comfort

God loves your soul like the soil loves the tree. 
God's Word is the soil where we firmly root our faith. 
The soil gives the tree all the space it needs to grow. 
God's will is His Word. 
It is not a roadmap but a relationship. 
God is more interested in what you become than what you do. 
Colossians 1:9. 
Having received Christ Jesus as Lord, you are: 
     firmly rooted, 
     grounded, 
     built up in Him, and 
     overflowing with gratitude- 
     one faith, one hope, one Lord. 
Comfort comes by knowing that you are firmly rooted. 
Love your God-given soul like the soil loves the tree. 

Oct 3: Peace

Have you ever doubted your salvation, God's loving hand, God's guidance? I have. Maybe, I got it all wrong; I'm doing it right, I work so hard, where is God? 
I go back to the Bible. Even when my heart is heavy, and His Words cut deep. I go back to the basics. Justification by faith is just that. Repentance is only a sign of what God has done through Christ Jesus; it is not repentance that saved me, that is the evidence of what God has done. I am made right with God because Jesus died for me; It is not the effects of repentance that saves- that is the fruits of living for Jesus. 
When I turn to God by belief and accept what God reveals, "the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ instantly places me into a right relationship with God." Oswald Chambers 
Cain tried to gain acceptance based on his efforts. God said no. Know me, believe in Me. 
Rest in peace, knowing your salvation rest in the Cross of Jesus Christ. 
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and then reckoning yourself to believing that salvation rests in Jesus. 
Be at peace with what God has done. 

Oct 2: Contentment within, not by comparison.

When we try to fill our lives with things or buy things for others to satisfy them, the void only gets bigger. The solution to buy more creates a bigger void. Many of us are trying to fill a void of some kind in our lives, and unfortunately, we try to fill that void with things that can’t satisfy. 

Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. 
My favorite verse about contentment is the 10th Commandment. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods. 

Psalm 128:2 "You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you." Proverbs 21:25 "The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor." Proverbs 14:23 "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty." There is your argument against socialism. It doesn't work and is a form of theft. 

Your gifts, talents, strengths, and struggles define who you are. God says not to covet what others have. It is because they are on a different road than you. Each person will need their own unique God-given ability to meet life's challenges. 


Oct 1: Need

Inner autumn calls,
time to embrace season’s change.
The wind howls for rest.

Light narrows yet shines.
Truth displayed for all to see, 
God’s bountiful grace. 

Counterfeit death nears. 
The last harvest, winter comes.
Weary souls find rest. 

Each season of life has specific needs. The winds howls at times for us all to find rest. Your inner cycle is (or can be) guided by the light of God's Word. Plant your seeds of faith and let them grow deep so when the winds of adversity come you will not wither. Jeremiah 17: 7-8.  
When the church age ends, winter will come for those left behind. My inner autumn calls me to plant a mustard seed of faith and allow Him restore my family.