Kaylee and Colton's Wedding - Part 1

I generally use my blog to post devotionals which are mostly read by my Sunday School class.  I occasionally do a post about my grandchildren and this one will chronicle my only granddaughter's beautiful and special wedding. 

When two young people, dedicated to living their lives to bring honor and glory to Jesus, it makes for a very special wedding!  Kaylee's mom, our daughter Paula, helped to make this a very special time for these two fine young people.  The following pictures will show their home and how it was prepared for Kaylee, her family, bridesmaids and guests.

This post is just the beginning!

Warning! Knowing God's Word Is Not Enough

Warning!  Knowing God's Word, studying it, even memorizing it is not enough.  It will not save you.  The Pharisees knew God's Word.  They knew all of God's promises and could participate in great arguments concerning the Scriptures.  They knew the Book well, but didn't know Jesus.  They knew what the Author said about the Lord, but they did not have a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus said, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.  These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (John 5:39-40)

Don't miss the One who gives life.  Knowing and even memorizing what the Scriptures say about Him will not save you.  Eternal life comes from knowing Him, believing His Word and having a personal relationship with Him.  It is a great thing to love God's Word and memorize it, but don't be like the Pharisees and miss knowing the One about whom it is written.

As the psalmist said, we need to let God's Word be "a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)  Psalm 119 is filled with truths about God's Word.  The psalmist said in verses 10 and 11, "I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from Your commands.  I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I may not sin against You."

We need to know Him personally - not just about him.  We need to seek the Lord with all our hearts, keep His commands and yes, we need to hide His Word in our hearts [memorize it] so we won't sin against Him.

It's Friday, but Sunday's Coming

On Friday, Jesus was crucified.  Men did not kill Him, for He, Himself gave up His spirit.  "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)  He chose to die for you and me.  Friday was a sad day for the followers of Jesus Christ for they did not remember what Jesus had told them, while He was still with them.

Early Sunday morning the women, who had been following Jesus, went to the tomb to minister to His body, but there was no one in the tomb.  The angel said to them, "He is not here; He has risen!" (Luke 24:26)  What glorious news for them and for all who believe!!

It may be Friday in your life right now, but take heart, God has overcome the world. (John 16:33)  It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!  He is RISEN.  Hallelujah, Christ the Lord is Risen!!

Are You Listening?

God often speaks to us in the middle of our ordinary circumstances - while we go about our daily routines.  Are we listening?  Do we recognize His voice?

If we are spending quality time alone with Him, in His Word and in prayer, we are more apt to hear and recognize Him when He speaks.

We don't want to miss a specical encounter with God because we are too busy or we simply weren't sure it was God speaking, nudging us.  Remember Elijah?  God told him to go out and stand on the mountain because the LORD was about to pass by.  The LORD was not in the powerful wind, nor the earthquake or the fire.  "And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:12b)  Elijah recognized God's voice.  Why?  Because He was listening.  Because He knew God. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)





We may be expecting God to speak to us in a thunderous voice, but He may be whispering to us.  Are we listening?  We don't want to miss Him!

Our Best or Leftovers

God desires our very best.  Are we giving Him our best or does He get leftovers?  Leftover time, if there is any. Leftover giving if there is anything left to give (resources, energy, talents, gifts, etc.).

God deserves: Our very best - our best time.

You and the Lord have to decide what time that is for you.  Early morning is best because you have the whole day in front of you and you have almost NO distractions.  But, everyone has to do what works for them.  Plan it.  If you don't, at best, He will only get leftovers.

God deserves: Our best resources, energy, talents, gifts, etc.

How can we give Him what He desires and deserves?  Put Him first.  Give Him the best part of our day.  Give Him the best of our resources, talents, gifts, energy, etc.

2 Timothy 2:15:  "Do your best to present yourselves to God as one approved, a workman that does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth."

I am reminded of the old hymn, Give of Your Best to the Master.  He deserves nothing less than our best. 

Learning to Be Content

I have decided that contentment is quite easy when everything is going well.  But, is that really a test of contentment?  I don't think so!  We (Eddie and I), are at the beach as I write this.  We have a beautiful place to stay, great food and the ocean to enjoy.  How easy it is to be content!

Paul said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Philippians 4:11b - my emphasis)

Paul knew what it was like to have plenty (most of us do too).  He also knew what it was like to be in need (many of us have also experienced real need).  Paul had learned the secret of contentment - "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:13)  Jesus is the answer to contentment in ALL situations.

Contentment in our lives involves much more than whether we have plenty or we are in need.  It involves every area of our lives - our self-image, our family, our husband, children, etc.  It involves our jobs, our church, our houses and homes (there is a difference), and much, much more.

Have I learned to be content in my circumstances - in every area of my life?  Can I say with Paul, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation?"  Paul had to learn contentment.  We can too!

Give Your Best

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of Truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

As we near the end of January in this new year, I am still thinking about the year that lies ahead.  I am pondering my goals, my challenges, my desires and most of all, what are God's goals and what are His desires for my life?

My challenge, my goal for this year is to do my best.  That's what God is asking of me.  I don't have to do what someone else does and I don't even have to be as good as they are at what they do.  (Neither do you.)  I am convinced that God wants me (and you) to do the very best we can with what He has blessed us with.

God gifts us uniquely.  Let's do the best we can with the gifts, talents, and abilities God has given us.  (Quit comparing ourselves with others!)  I truly want to be "a workman that does not need to be ashamed" and I want to "correctly handle the word of Truth."

Will God say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant?" (Matthew 25:21)  If we give Him our best, we can expect to hear those precious, comforting and rewarding words. 

Our challenge:  Give Him our very best!