POWER

Reading Mark, and in the other Gospels, Jesus' power over evil spirits never ceases to inspire and leave me in absolute awe of the power of our Creator and Savior...Mk 1:21-28...In my walk with Christ, there are times when I stumble, stagger...or just plain can't pick myself up. I've been blessed to become friends with numerous fellow Christians that continually encourage and let me know that "I'm not the only one that's felt this way."
I'm truly comforted when knowing His incredible power and love exists in me as I type this...
Boy, does God love us!!!

Simple truth

The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me. (Jn 16:9)

Bet you didn't know this....Coyote and Road Runner

According to Chuck Jones, the duos creator and chief director, he and the artists behind the Road Runner and Wile E. cartoons adhered to some simple but strict

Rules:

Rule 1: Road runner cannot harm the Coyote except by going "Beep! Beep!"

Rule 2: No outside force can harm the Coyote -- only his own ineptitude or the failure of Acme products.

Rule 3: The Coyote could stop anytime -- If he was not a fanatic. (Repeat: "A fanatic is one who redoubles his effort when he has forgotten his aim." -George
Santayana)

Rule 4: No dialogue ever, except "Beep-Beep."

Rule 5: Road runner must stay on the road - for no other reason than he's a roadrunner.

Rule 6: All action must be confined to the natural environment of the two characters -- the southwest American desert.

Rule 7: All tools, weapons, or mechanical conveniences must be obtained from the Acme Corporation.

Rule 8: Whenever possible, make gravity the Coyote's greatest enemy.

Rule 9: The audience's sympathy must remain with the Coyote.

Eternal Sports

Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9: 24-27)

Snipers everywhere

Psalm 59:3
(NLT) They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting.
Lord, though I have not sinned or offended them.

As Saul sent soldiers to watch and kill David...so we too face enemies standing, ready to harm us. We can defend ourselves by staying immersed in God's word and praying daily for God's assistance. We owe it to God to assist one another and continually seek His armor.

To everything turn..turn

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1.

God designed the four seasons in such a way that they are all distinct, and yet work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer brings about growth and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.
Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well. Life has its springtime, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future. Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of day in all that God has assigned to us. With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives. Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives. Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!

--Feb 2, Experiencing God Day by Day (Henry and Richard Blackaby)

The excerpt above from Blackaby's daily devotional is incredible in drawing a neat parallel between our daily lives and the seasons of the year. While we may live for the season at hand...we have the opportunity to make changes to our lives but also those of loved-ones, friends, even strangers. While we would love to see each of these seasons come to their full fruition, maybe it's not for us--it is for God to see however...And with that we should all be willing to plant seeds for a bountiful harvest...May God bless you in the season you're in.

fellowship

God does things for reasons (Acts 9:1-9). Although we may never come to a full understanding of the (whys, whats, wheres and hows) if we are open to His gentle whispers and stay immersed in His Word we are being obedient and can have a positive effect for His glory.