My Elevator

My Elevator

My foes, with their mouth, dig pits for me.
Their words are as dirt conceived to bury me.
They yearn to break my will by intimidation.
They query my integrity amid the congregation.
They mistrust my motives; criticize my ability.
They brashly boost themselves, void of humility.
They slyly mask their mischief by a flimsy guise,
Oblivious that God observes with all-seeing eyes.
When I consider their deeds, it grieves my soul,
For my one desire is to win my God-given goal.
I beseech my God in the midst of my distress.
He bestows grace lifting me above wickedness.
His word reminds that He has me on His mind.
His Spirit sways me to be forgiving and kind.
When I petition, my Elevator opens the door.
He takes me in and takes me up to a higher floor.
He mystifies my foes by His favor towards me.
He uses their evil effort to show forth His glory.
I wholeheartedly recommend my Elevator to you.
His name is Jesus; He lifts above sin and enemies, too.

Psalms 3
1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. 6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. 7. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

I Owe Jesus
RevLDReedSr
12/10/09

Giving without Gaining

G i v i n g without G a i n i n g

There are those who delight greatly in giving
To outwardly showcase their reputable living.
They boast of their numerous noble deeds
In providing, to remedy the poor’s needs.
They may appear to have the purest aim.
But, a wise review reveals a great shame.
They do not contribute to bring God glory
But, seek publicity for their self-serving story.
They give not from a heart spirited with love.
For, they love neither humanity nor God above.
Their insincere charity achieves no enduring gain.
True charity springs from love one does not feign.
As when God confirmed His love toward all men,
He sent His beloved Son to end the rule and ruin of sin.

Let love lead you. Let love guide you. Let love fill you.
Let love live inside of you.
Jesus is LOVE…
For love He gave His life that you may gain life.
Receive Jesus, gain love and eternal life.
Then give love that others may perhaps gain Jesus.

1 Corinthians 13:3 (Amplified Bible) - Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.

I Owe Jesus
RevLDReedSr
12/8/09

Go Through

Go Through

When the dark night of misery shadows your way,
Go through, in dark times God leads, as if it were day.

When you must cross life’s rivers that rage,
Go through, God will usher you safely through every stage.

When in the lowest valley where mighty men despair,
Go through, the Lord’s presence will set your mind at rest there.

When your soul is tested in life’s furnace of fire,
Go through, neither heat nor flame will harm; God is your fortifier.

When challenged to a battle by your devilish foes,
Go through, God can grant victory, without you ever coming to blows.

When charged by God to carry out a great mission,
Go through, God will work in and through you to bring His will to fruition.

When faced with suffering for bearing your cross after the Lord,
Go through, in due course God shall bless you with your heavenly reward.

When crossing your wilderness en route to the Promised Land,
Go through, you are sure to make it, the Lord upholds you by His right hand.

Multitudes have gone through the hell and high water of life and lived to tell their testimony. By faith, they experienced first hand God’s awesome delivering power. Whatever challenge is staring you down, rise to meet it in the strength of the Lord, for He is well able to carry you all the way through. Christ went through the torturous cross that He may pay our sin debt. By trusting in Him, we have a Savior that promised to be there to see us through the ever-unfolding but unpredictable seasons of this life into the beyond words, but yet-to-be seen era of life everlasting.

Isaiah 43:2-3a (New Living Translation) - When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
12/7/2009

Normal Day

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it will not always be so. One day I shall...bury my face in the pillow, or raise my hands to the sky, and want, more than all the world your return."

Quote by Mary Jean Irion

The Gift of Today

The Gift of Today

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24

Daybreak,
Opportunity knocks
For those yearning
For a fresh beginning.
Memory uploads yesterday’s cache file.
Reflect…Release…Now relish this day,
Because today is a gift from God.
The Almighty granted today to us-the undeserving.
Be glad in this coveted precious honor.
The Sovereign God of all creation
Who is gracious and merciful
Favored you with today.
Become…Love…Rejoice.
Praise Jesus.
Hallelujah!

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
12/7/09

The Blessed and Only Potentate

The Blessed and Only Potentate

Praise Jesus-King of Kings and Lord of Lords,
Who wrought blessed peace and all it affords.
The Man who His own people refused to crown,
He, despite cons to cross Him out, gained renown.
The Beloved’s reign is by will of His Father above.
The Father granted Him this honor out of love.
Immortality and eternal esteem are in His hands.
His glory shines victoriously in all nations and lands.
His Kingdom, no other power can ever dethrone.
All things are under His feet-every authority known.
He sustains all substance by the word of His power.
His word shall try angels and men come judgment’s hour.
In time, every knee must bow and all tongues confess.
In the presence of God Almighty, all will duly acquiesce.
For now, the glorious Gospel of our King may we proclaim,
Declaring that He saves whosoever calls on His holy name.

Jesus reigns! He reigns majestically in glorious splendor.
He is the humble King who for love stepped out of glory and stepped up to the cross to die for you and I. Does He reign as King on the throne of your heart?

Which in His times He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of Lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:15-16

I Owe Jesus
RevLDReedSr
11/16/09

Pit Perspectives

Pit Perspectives

Do you feel as though you are in a rut? Further yet do you feel you are in a place deeper than a rut? Then you may be experiencing life in a pit. Your pit may be a pit of persecution, a pit of regret, a pit of self-loathing, a pit of betrayal, a pit of mourning, or a pit of anger or hatred.

Pit- a hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison) the worst or most unpleasant thing, person, or place it is possible to find--hell- a state or place of extreme pain or misery, or something or somebody that causes extreme pain or misery

Perspectives-a particular evaluation of a situation or facts, especially from one person's point of view; a measured or objective assessment of a situation, giving all aspects their comparative importance

In your pit, you may experience:
Pain from pruning- severe emotional or mental distress caused by the cutting away or removal of useless or unhealthy elements to encourage fuller growth.
Introspection- self-examination- the detailed mental examination of your own feelings, thoughts, and motives

Trepidation-apprehension- fear or uneasiness about the future or a future event

By way of your pit you are being:
Prepared for progression
Induced to righteousness
Transformed by truth and trial

Practical victory strategies for overcoming your pit:
Pray without ceasing
Ingest and incline your heart to obey the word of God
Turn from sin and trust the Spirit of God to lead you

Your pit should bring forth growth in:
Praise to God
Intimacy with God
Testimony for God

God blessings for you in overcoming your pit:
Promotion from God
Increased faith in God
Triumph over faults and foes

Jesus came into the pit that is the world and triumphed over it. It was something that He had to go through that we might be freed from sin and made overcomers through Him. Through Him you shall have victory over the pits in your life. Do you know Him?

Psalms 88:1. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: 2. Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; 3. For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. 4. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: 5. Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. 6. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. 7. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.

Psalms 40:1. I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
11/11/09

A Place to Belong

A Place to Belong

Have you found the place where you belong?
That place of sanctuary away from the taxing throng…
That place where you know you are accepted…
That place where your feelings are not neglected…
That place where you feel safe and secure…
That place that enlivens, enabling you to endure…
That place where love is freely expressed…
That place where you are soothed when stressed…
That place where you can let your hair down…
That place where you exit smiling after entering with a frown…
That place that draws you back when you’re away…
That place that gets you without having words to say…
Are you searching for that coveted gracious place?
Where even when you fall you don’t have to save face…
For so long, men have longed for a place to belong…
A place where they can freely sing their heart’s song…
A place where they can contribute their small part…
A place where they can share the goodness in their heart…
A place where none suffers alone, as everyone shares…
A place where it is unwelcome to put on airs…
A place where all are encouraged to be the best they can be…
A place where one can live with dignity for all eternity…

Jesus died to open the doorway for you to get into the very presence of God. Anyone entering in through Jesus will enjoy everlasting life and will spend blessed eternity with God, our Heavenly Father, His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and all those who love the Lord with a love pure and true. In Christ is the place where you belong…

Psalm 84:1-4 (Amplified Bible)
1HOW LOVELY are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! 2My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God. 3Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young--even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
11/4/09

Bystander Beware

Bystander Beware

Dare not to look in apathy at another’s agony.
Odds are that it could be you the next time.
Summon strength; call up courage and compassion.
Order your thoughts; then take appropriate action.
Maybe you were born for this moment, this purpose.
Every second counts, there is no time to waste.
Trouble may come, but think of the greater good.
Helpers sometimes get hurt, but help anyway.
Investing in other’s need will yield blessings for you.
Not only can you make a difference, but alter a destiny.
God will reward your sacrifice and honor you for your effort.

“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:16b

I am glad Jesus did not stand idly by as mankind was doomed by sin. He did what it took. He stepped in at the cross of Calvary and paid the price. He looked beyond our fault and saw our need. Do you know Jesus as Savior and Lord?

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
10/30/09

Grace for Growth

The answers to the questions - Why on earth are you here and what on earth are you to do?

- All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (Amplified Bible)

The first step of true obedience to God is believing on His Son Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
10/29/09

Pondering Paradise

Pondering Paradise

Haunts eliminated.
Evil eradicated.
Acrimony annihilated.
Violence vanquished.
Envy destroyed.
Narcissism negated.
Idolatry obliterated.
Scarcity solved.
Materialism dissolved.
Yearning quenched.
Homelessness halted.
Oppression overpowered.
Malady mended.
Equity demonstrated.

High praise
Emanates from
Angelic voices.
Veritable, enriching,
Elegant, stirring,
Nonstop delight
Inspire sanctified
Singing in
Magnificent harmonies.
Youthful exuberance
Highlights activity.
Opulent worship
Magnifies the
Eternal God.

His Majesty
Enjoys His
Ardent devotees
Voluminous love
Exuded with
Never-ending joy.
Industrious citizens,
Supportive intimates,
Meshed mutually
Yielding fruitfully.
Harmony flourishes.
Opportunity abounds.
Marvelous vistas
Everyday enthrall.

Heaven is my home…
There is room there for you. Jesus is the door. If any will enter into Him they shall be saved…Do you know Jesus?

Philippians 3:20 But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior,

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
10/12/09

Love Does Not Hurt

Love Does Not Hurt

Love does not harass, hinder, nor hit.
It heals, helps, and honors.

Love does not undermine, usurp, or undervalue.
It understands, unites, and upholds.

Love does not rag, rage, or rob.
It redeems, refreshes, and respects.

Love does not terrorize, threaten, or trick.
It transforms, treasures, and trusts.

Let us teach our sons and our daughters what loves does and does not do… It will make for happier, healthier, and more hallowed relationships…

Romans 13:10 (Amp Bible) 10Love does no wrong to one's neighbor [it never hurts anybody]. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
10/9/09