Proverbs 16:20New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
    and happy are those who trust in the Lord.

Good Morning Family,
The word for today is attentive. After reading the above text, it hit me. How often have you wanted to achieve a goal by shortcut? There have been times when we have sought achievement and figured that we did not need to do the fundamental things that it would take prosper. Being attentive...paying attention to the details. Having  a watchful eye and focusing on the fundamentals may seem minor. However, the fundamentals are actually  major components to us prospering. For example, I once heard a story told of how an awesome point guard with plenty of raw talent by the name of, Magic Johnson became so great at handling the basketball. The short version of that story is; he would dribble the basketball to the store with one hand and on the way home he would in turn dribble back with the other hand. He was so attentive to hone this skill it helped to prosper him in the NBA.  I imagine that this is the essence of this proverb concerning being attentive. Most of  us will never have the raw talent that it takes to make it at whatever we desire to achieve.  But if we are attentive to what gifts we do have we will honor God. I for example have the task of wanting to lose weight. That means being attentive to my portions of food and following a work out plan. Moreover, if we are attentive to the fundamentals and the basics, it says in God's word that we will prosper. Yet the text does not end there. It goes on pass the break  and gives us the root! Trusting in the Lord while we are attentive to our  tasks will lead us to happiness that we desire.

Almighty, Creator, and Sustainer I pray for empowerment today. I lift up my family to you for your Spirit to fall fresh upon us as we daily work towards being attentive. May we find happiness in trusting in you for all our direction. This is my prayer in the Matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you as I love Christ

- Rev. Lee

Psalms 121 NRSV

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 He who keeps Israel  will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.  7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;  he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.

Good Morning family,
Today's scripture speaks volumes to us believers about how we are well cared for and loved. I imagine the Psalmist, while penning this was reflecting  on former  days and events that illustrated the help of God coming to keep him.  This God, the Maker of heaven and earth does not ever remove the hand of protection from our lives. Even though at times we feel or think as we face obstacles we are all alone. Remember because of  Grace and Mercy, Jehovah is always keeping the worst of life from us. Each of us like the Psalmist can give account of a time when the Lord has kept us from the worst the world has to offer.

Today as we go about our works we should reflect on all the areas in life how God is keeping us! I pray today to for you and I to live a life honoring our commitment to God in all we touch, say, and do. Be blessed brothers and sisters. May God keep you, may God's countenance rest upon you, in Jesus name, amen!

1 Peter 2:18-25
18 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. 19 For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds  you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Brothers and sisters, strive to endure to daily as many oppress you unjustly so that God will be glorified.  I realize that it is difficult to let others mistreat you and not say or do anything. This is a hard battle at times especially for me. But when I read today's scripture I immediately was convicted! I am glad that God is  merciful and that by Grace I still have the opportunity to work on enduring while suffering.    I pray for your encouragement and mine as well.
Almighty God give  your children the ability to endure hardships and difficulties. Send your Holy Spirit to support them as face  injustices from their oppressors. After their time of trouble help heal their wounds and restore them. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

I love you as I love Christ.
-Rev. Lee

1 Peter 2:11-13 NRSV

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge."

Today's scripture talks about how we need not to lean unto our own desires, the physical things that drive us to compromise our sanctification when we come under attack from those that seek to harm us. These attacks occur  in the mundane areas of our daily walk. For example; at work, at the courthouse, in the grocery store parking lot, and elsewhere.   We need not lash out give those people a quick reminder of  'who we are or who they are talking too'. Neither do we need to let the physical urges that we have cause us to compromise us sexually, emotionally, or fiscally.

People around us make it difficult to do what is right! At least that is how many of us see the actions of others. Okay, I will own it, that is how I often feel.  Ownership of personal behavior is important for servitude to God.
I must constantly remind myself that I cannot allow others actions to govern my daily deeds. All I have is my name and that good name will go a long way. So when encountering an adverse  make it your aim to let your response be in service to God. That way when the Almighty comes to your name the only thing that can be said is, "Well done my good and faithful servant."
I pray for your encouragement today in the Lord. May you be strengthen to do what you are called to do honorably more so in the face of adversity. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

-

Acts 18:9-10

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

9 One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people.”

Today brothers and sisters I encourage you to speak boldly about Jesus, proclaiming your conviction and to serve God in all that you do. Know that there will always be those that are against you. According to the word of God, the Almighty is deep in these streets (if I can make it plan)!  Paul received this encouragement from a vision given by God as he was teaching to those in the city of Corinth.

Let it also be clear to you that there are many more that will be for you and will stand with you for the sake of Righteousness!

I pray for your peace and understanding, may God order your every step today. Almighty quench the desire to be silent today for our brothers and sisters.  Show them those that will stand with them in the face of adversity. Empower them with your Spirit that they may discern those who come to aid and those in need of a word from you. In the name of Jesus the Christ, amen!

I love you as I love God

-Rev Lee

Matthew 5:14-20New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

The Law and the Prophets17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

--------
We work hard and sometimes long hours to afford the admission price for the myriad of  sporting events, concerts, amusement parks, and etc that we want to attend. The monetary exchange that we are willing weigh and measure is based on how we see value of those temporal desires  in our lives. 

But the one ticket that all believers want to gain is the one for entrance into the Kingdom. There is not a level of work that we can perform nor hours of service that we could provide to earn a tangible amount to purchase this admission.

Now we who believe have to do something. The Word teaches that we are to let our lights shine because we sit high and exalted. Our works (service to God) should be the guide for all that are trying to gain admission into the Kingdom.

Today, brothers and sisters, go and spread your light to the world. Be obedient to the word of God as you present yourselves before people you encounter today. Whether on your job, in traffic, in the grocery line. Wherever you may find yourself share the righteous fruit that God has bless your life with others.  I pray for yours and my encouragement today and everyday to do the will of God so that the Almighty may receive all the glory from our stories.

I love you as I love God!

-Rev. Lee

My son yesterday started tee ball and during practice he had a few missteps, dropping the ball, not running fast enough, etc. I continued to encourage him and was reassuring that he was doing well. However, when we got in the car he blurted out something that I never expected to hear him say, "I'm a loser and I don't want to play tee ball anymore!" I was disturbed and immediately began to reaffirm his efforts at trying to play this new sport. I was aware that this was uncharted territory for him. Now that means he needs to practice and work at achieving. This opportunity will build character either positive or negative depending on how he approaches it.

I say all of that to encourage you today that even though you may have dropped the ball or did not run your fastest on yesterday. Today's is a new day and the opportunities that God has for you to build positive character is waiting on you to get back out there and practice doing the right thing today.

Remember family you may have loss but you are not losers don't allow anyone to tell you that especially yourself. Those of you that have died in Christ have the victory and those that are undecided, today is your opportunity. Go with God and win family!

It is my prayer for you today that the blessings of heaven and earth are poured out upon you and everything you touch, say, and do is pleasing to God! Amen.

Rev Lee