To Open Blind Eyes

Isaiah 42:7

To open eyes that are bind, to free the captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

O my dear Father, Lord over all the Earth and all the Universe! I pray for those who are dear to me who do not yet know You. I pray that You would open their blind eyes, that You would free them from the prisons that are holding them captive and release them from the dark dungeons in which they sit. Let Your light shine upon them that they may see You in Your goodness and Your majesty, in Your grace and compassion and in Your power and Your mercy. O Father, allow me to be Your conduit, Your channel, so that all who observe my life and hear my words may see Your light, to perceive and understand Your love that cannot allow evil to prevail. Let them see You, Father, and turn to You from their corrupted ways and know Your Truth.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Family Relationships

Galatians 6:1-10

Brothers - This is family truth.

If someone - Any of the family members.

is caught in a sin - Entangled in some habit, addiction or attitude.

you who are spiritual - If I understand the spiritual principle.

should restore him - Share my experience to show the Truth that works.

gently - with compassion and respect.

But watch yourself - Don't focus so much on fixing the other . . .

or you also may be tempted - . . . that I neglect to notice my own attitude.

Carry each others' burdens - Help and support so they won't be overcome by their grief, trouble or problem.

Fulfill the Law of Christ - This is how we love one another.

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing - Pride.

he deceives himself - I tend to lie to myself about myself.

Each one should test his own actions - Why do I do what I do?

Then he can take pride in himself - Self-worth, in that I have obeyed properly.

without comparing himself to somebody else - No competition here, compare myself only with Christ.

For each one should carry his own load - Be responsible for my own common, ordinary, daily responsibilities.

Anyone who receives instruction in the Word must share all good things with his instructor - Don't forget to thank and reward my mentors.

Do not be deceived - Don't fool myself.

God cannot be mocked - He is Almighty, Sovereign, Wise, etc, etc.

A man reaps what he sows - I need to pay attention to what I am saying and doing, not go off on auto-pilot.

The one who sows to the flesh - To satisfy my comforts.

will reap destruction - Poverty, illness, incapacity.

The one who sows to the Spirit - In the power and insight of God's Spirit.

will reap eternal life - Not only living forever, but a good quality of life right now.

Do not become weary in doing good - Persist, don't wimp out, don't quit.

At the proper time - Payday.

We will reap a harvest - Get the paycheck, experience the results.

if we do not give up - Don't quit before payday!

Therefore, as we have opportunity - Today, don't put it off.

do good to all people - Everybody, regardless.

Especially to those who belong to the family - Family members are due more respect and consideration than strangers and friends; have priorities.

The Manufacturer's Instructions

Psalm 19:7-11

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. - Law=Perfect; giving life to our emotions.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. - Statutes=Trustworthy; giving true wisdom to the one who was ignorant.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. - Precepts=Right; righteousness allows our hearts to experience the Joy of the Lord, which transcends our understanding.

The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. - Commands=Radiant; Shining like the Sun. When we obey the Manufacturer's Instructions, then we have light to see whatever obstacles would trip us up, and we can see the beauty and order in everything, understanding how it all works together to our benefit and God's glory.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. - Fear of the Lord=Pure; reverently respecting and acknowledging God's almighty power, perfect justice and total righteousness will keep us from ever wanting to disappoint Him and keep us on that straight and narrow path all our days, and forever.

The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and altogether righteous. - Ordinances=Sure; His rules are steadfast, unmovable, and always the right way to go.

Conclusion:

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

When we know and understand God's rules for living our lives, we will then be able to discern what would be the right decisions and choices to make in life; then when we act according to these thought-out lifestyles, our planting of these seeds of righteousness will bring forth a bountiful crop of good things and relationships that will be to our benefit right here on Earth, gain us rewards in Heaven, and bring glory, credit, to God who planned it all and brought it about by His power.

Whose Standards?

Matthew 9:7-8

Then why did Moses . . . ?

Because your hearts were hard.

God's standards are always absolute; we cannot live up to these standards because our hearts are hardened to God's ways. Even though we tend to bring the bar down to what we think is reasonable, God's standard does not change. When we make excuses, we end up sinning, falling short of what God wants for us. So we need to, I need to, hearken back to God's original standards and live in His power for the strength to do them.

Home

John 14:2-3

In my Father's house are many dwellings; if it were not so, I would have told you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

O my wonderful Lord, Jesus! You have gone to be with the Father, and to prepare places, dwellings, for all of us, and for each of us. For me. A beautiful, glorious place to dwell with you! O my Precious, wherever You are is my home! While I am still here in this world I am not "settled in" as "at home" anywhere here, even though "home is where I hang my hat." You know that if I would travel all this world, spreading Your Truth, and seeing Your beauty in every clime, every culture, every language, every ethnic food--every person I would meet. Even if I would go to colonize Mars, I would still be Your light even there, broadcast to all the world! But my "home" is Heaven, where You are now, and will be wherever You will be, for all eternity! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Time To Wake Up

Romans 13:11-14

Personalized:

And do this, Bonnie, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because your salvation is nearer now than when you first trusted Me. My daughter, the night is nearly over and My Day is almost here! So be sure to put aside all the deeds of the darkness of this world and put on the armor of light I have provided for you. Then you will behave decently, as in the daytime. Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and you don't even need to think about how to gratify the desires of your flesh.

"Last Days" Thoughts

I Peter 4:7

The end of all things is near - We are in the midst of all the turmoil and pollution and wickedness God said would be present, ever more so as the end approaches.

Therefore be clear minded - Don't get caught up in all the worldliness around me, but see through the muddle and confusion to God's Truth.

And self-controlled - Don't let my emotions run away with me when upsetting things happen.

So that you can pray - Prayer is crucial--I must have that communion with God, especially so when these "last days" are bringing turmoil and confusion and deception, I need my Father's steady hand on me to keep me faithful.