"Are you a Martha or a Mary?"

References Luke 10 and John 11 Martha was cumbered Mary was compelled Martha complained Mary cleaved Martha was full of common sense Mary was full of Compassion Martha had contrary facts Mary had child like faith Which one would rather be? Every moment of your life you can choose to be a Martha or a Mary. Martha had a servant's heart but she lacked a "be still" attitude. God wants each of us to serve Him but He also wants each of us to spend time with Him so we can be guided by HIM. Do you want strong faith? ... Have a teachable be still heart!

"The Destruction of PRIDE"

Solomon had it all and yet he ended up turning away fro the LORD. And it seems right when he became the richest king in the World, his pride took control of his life. Pride became his downfall. All the wisdom he had could not keep him from becoming proud. What would have happened if, when the Queen of Sheba came, Solomon had praised the LORD? The Queen praised God with her own mouth ~ 2 Chron 9:8. Yet we don't see Solomon praising the LORD. What would have happened if Solomon, when he heard of how he was praised in distant lands, would have proclaimed that the LORD had done it all? Pride took over! Pride became his destruction! It destroyed his family! It rent his kingdom! And in the end it lead to Israel's destruction. And yet it could have been so different. Solomon started out as a humble man, unsure of how he could run a kingdom. God told him to ask whatever he wanted and God would give it to him. Solomon asked humbly for Wisdom. God in His goodness gave Solomon not only wisdom but also riches and honour. Solomon could have been known for the rest of his life as the humble king ... but instead he was known as the richest king in the world. Can you picture Solomon the Wise being humble before the LORD and the people. Would he have said "don't think my wisdom comes from me, but understand it comes from God and is only because of Him, I am what I am." He might have had that attitude in the beginning of his life. But he changed. The Word of God says "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father." 1 Kings 11:4. PRIDE WILL CAUSE YOUR DESTRUCTION AND WILL CAUSE THE DESTRUCTION OF THOSE AROUND YOU!

"Where is your Beauty Emphasis?"

There are two types of Beauty: Beauty that is Outward and Beauty that is Inward. Outward Beauty, though it is not wrong to have, should not be our emphasis. Here are some facts about "Beauty" found in the Word of God. Negative things about Beauty ~ Emphasis on the Outward.

Proverbs 31:30 ~ "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."

1. Absalom had outward beauty. ~ 2 Samuel 14:25. 2. Outward beauty is consumed away. ~ Psalms 39:11. 3. The rich man's beauty shall consume in the grave. ~ Psalms 49:14. 4. Outward beauty is vain. ~ Proverbs 31:30. 5. Outward beauty leads to pride. Outward beauty is a fading flower. ~ Isaiah 28:4. 6. Destruction comes to those that trust in their own beauty. ~ Ezekiel 16:15. Other examples: Ezekiel 27:3; 27:11; 28:7; 28:17; Zechariah 11:7. Positive things about Beauty ~ Emphasis on the Inward.

Isaiah 61:3 ~ " To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."

1. Arron's garments were for glory and beauty. ~ Ex. 28:2. Arron was the High Priest. He was to be clothed in Glory and Beauty for God's Glory. He was identified with God as God's High Priest. 2. We are to worship the LORD in Beauty of Holiness. ~ 1 Chron. 16:29 & 2 Chron. 20:21. 3. The LORD is decked with majesty, excellency, glory and beauty. ~ Job 40:10. 4. "Behold the Beauty of the LORD." ~ Psalms 27:4. 5. The King's daughters were to beautiful and to worship the LORD. ~ Psalms 45:11. 6. Zions is the perfection of Beauty where God continually shines. ~ Psalms 50:2. 7. "And let the Beauty of the LORD our God be upon us:" ~ Psalms 90:17. God's Beauty is to be on us. We are to let the LORD shine through us and when He does; His beauty reflects on us. 8. Strength and Beauty are the LORD's Sanctuary. ~ Psalms 96:5 9. Those who live for the LORD shall see the KING in His Beauty. ~ Isaiah 33:17. 10. God give His Children beauty for ashes. ~ Isaiah 61:3

"I Love the LORD!" ~ Psalms 116:1a

Psalms 116:9 ~ "I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living." By... (Col. 4) * Continuing in prayer * What in the same * With Thanksgiving * Praying for open doors for the gospel * Walking in Wisdom * Redeeming the time * Speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt - that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

"Just an Ordinary Day"

A young boy sat in a field Just keeping watch of sheep Unaware what the day would yield, David looking o'er his little keep. Just an ordinary Day, but it wasn't for me. An ordinary day, to walk the narrow way. It just took one day to change my History, God rewrote my life with an ordinary day. A man searched for his lamb but turned aside to see Unaware he'd hear from the great I Am Moses would be used to change History. Just an ordinary Day, but it wasn't for me. An ordinary day, to walk the narrow way. It just took one day to change my History, God rewrote my life with an ordinary day. A stranger in a distant land, Serving a foreign King. Hearing of the Walls torn down, Nehemiah started tearfully praying. Just an ordinary Day, but it wasn't for me. An ordinary day, to walk the narrow way. It just took one day to change my History, God rewrote my life with an ordinary day. The KING of all the age Stood before a mob so angry, "Crucify Him!" they rage, Jesus Christ died for you and for me! Just an ordinary Day, but it wasn't for me. An ordinary day, to walk the narrow way. It just took one day to change my History, God rewrote my life with an ordinary day.

"Take Heart!" ~ From 2 Kings 19

2 Kings 19:33a & 35a ~ "By that way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. ... And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote..." When the Battle rages look up, dear heart! Can't you see the LORD is standing nigh? Remember from you HE shall not depart, See God's Army surrounds you on HIGH! When troubles come spread it before the LORD, Don't be discouraged, take heart! Rest and cleave, cleave to God's Holy Word, Trust in the LORD, Do not depart! It may seem the Enemy is about to charge in, And the enemy's tumult overwhelms you; But look up to Christ the LORD! Rest in Him. The Holy Spirit will guide you to what's true. When troubles come spread it before the LORD, Don't be discouraged, take heart! Rest and cleave, cleave to God's Holy Word, Trust in the LORD, Do not depart! Though the Battle surrounds you; The Enemy is closing near, Keep fast to what is true, Remember my friend, don't fear! When troubles come spread it before the LORD, Don't be discouraged, take heart! Rest and cleave, cleave to God's Holy Word, Trust in the LORD, Do not depart!

"Give up those High Places!" ~ tune from "You are my hiding place"

"But the high places were not taken away:" ~ 2 Kings 12:3 Break down those High places The places in your heart Where you hold sinful traces From these you must depart. Break down those High places Leave that wicked fold Lay down those sinful traces Flee from that strong hold. Cleave to God's Holy Word Run this faithful race Keep your eyes on the LORD Give up those High Places!