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[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

When I asked...

When I asked adults what they thought of Jesus, I got mixed answers.

When I asked adults what they thought of Jesus, they told me about suffering, sin. about dying.

When I asked adults what they thought of Jesus, they also told me about hope.

When I asked adults what they thought of Jesus, they told me about questioning and being unsure in their faith.

When I asked adults what they thought of Jesus, they told me about abusive parents and older adults who forced their religion on them.

When I asked adults what they thought of Jesus, they told me about more negative things than positive ones.

When I asked children what they thought of Jesus, they told me that His favorite animal was a donkey because that's how He came to Jerusalem.

When I asked children what they thought of Jesus, they started fighting over whether his favorite animal was a dove. Because had it been a donkey, He would have made the holy spirit to be a donkey.

When I asked children what they thought of Jesus, they told me about fish and bread. They told me about finding eggs on easter and how beautiful it is to see the christmas tree with all it's candles, all bright and shining.

When I asked children what they thought of Jesus, they told me things we all seem to forget over time. They told me about joy.

[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

Good Morning!☀

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:31-33

We tend to spend a lot of time on food, drink and clothes; getting them, preparing them, worrying about them. Well, you say, we have to eat to stay alive, we have to have clothes to wear! Yes, you do.

The problem is that we put obtaining these before God in our lives. We often eat far more than we need to sustain us. Our closets are full, but we say we do not have anything to wear! We go to the refrigerator, look in, and say there is nothing to eat when, in fact, the refrigerator is full! So we go out and get more!

Having created us, God knows what we need and when we need it. He is more than willing to provide for us. If we put him and his will first in our lives, he will see to it that our needs are met and abundantly so. Not only will he meet our needs, but he will even throw in things we do not really need but just desire!

Stop trying to be your own God. Dare to let God be God in your life and see how much more joyful and peaceful your life becomes!

[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

Good Morning!☀

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Revelation 3:8

We may feel that no one appreciates what we do or even noticed that we have done it. We sometimes feel that we are taken for granted, with little or no thanks coming our way. Passed over for promotions, pushed aside, we feel like we are going nowhere fast.

Rest assured, child of God, God sees your work. He knows better than you what is going on behind the scenes. Your labors have not gone unnoticed by him. He is preparing to open doors of opportunity for you that no none can shut or keep you from it.

Stay the course. Hold fast. Do not despair. Rest if you must, but do not quit! God has not forgotten you!

[lightfromthelighthouse]

‭Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT‬). “[1] The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. [2] He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. [3] He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. [4] Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. [5] You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. [6] Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen. 🙏

[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

Good Morning!☀

If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

As a father disciplines his child so God disciplines us. He uses events in our lives to get our attention and move us to repentance. To withhold the rain was a major punishment for Israel, just as droughts cause major problems for nations today. When a swarm locusts (a relative of the grasshopper) came through a place, they ate anything green and so could strip any growing crops, grass, and trees bare in minutes.

God let King Solomon know that these would not be random happenings but rather sent by Him on purpose. He also let him know that if the people humbled themselves, prayed, and repented of their sins, God would release the rain and heal the land so that it could produce again.

God holds us accountable for our actions. He loves us enough to discipline us. If we respond appropriately, he will forgive us and restore us.

[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

Good Morning!☀

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Isaiah 41:10-11

We are repeatedly told in the Bible not to fear. We are repeatedly told in the Bible why we should not fear. We are repeatedly reminded that we have a living, loving God actively working in our behalf.

Yet we fear! Yet we let the latest news report shake our faith instead of trusting God and his word. He tells us in his word that difficulties will come, but he will be there to help us through. He promised that he would never leave us nor forsake us.

Isaiah asks the question, "Who has believed our report?". Have you believed God's report? Have you traded fear in for faith? Fear not, go forth in faith. With God, you can not lose. Without him, you can not win!

[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

[lightfromthelighthouse]

Good Morning!☀

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10

Imagine that! The God of the universe, creator of all, challenging his people to prove him by being obedient!

God had designated the tribe of Levi to be the sole caretakers of the temple with the descendants of Aaron, Moses's brother, as the only ones who could be priests. They were to be provided for through the tithes and offerings presented by the remaining tribes. During the time of the prophet Malachi, as well as many other times in Israel's history, the tithe and offerings were being neglected. Thus, the Levites were forced to neglect the care of the temple and worship because they had to now provide for themselves.

God challenged the Israelites to get their priorities straight and put him first. He promised that if they returned to giving the tithes and offering, he would bless them so much they would not have enough room for the blessings!

The world says get, then give. God says give, then get! If you want to increase your blessings, develop a giving heart. Give of whatever you have, much or little, and watch God work!